*** 1/2 out of 5
Animation/Adventure/Comedy
“The Secret Lives of Pets” although not perfect is a wholesome family affair. What do humans and pets do? Well, Humans go to work; pets come to play. When the coast is clear and the pets”' owners have gone to work or school in Manhattan, it”'s play time for dogs, cats, parakeets, guinea pigs and parrots. They find all kinds of mischief to get into together when their owners assume they are asleep or eating their pet foods. This owner (Elle Kemper) at the door only to see her bring home a big, burly dog, a rescue dog named
Duke (Eric Stonestreet). At first, the two dogs do not get along, but after
a few tricks by Max, the two mend their ways. What happens next Max and Duke get accidentally left behind by the dog walker and soon to be napped by Animal Control. From there, the film takes off like a race horse.
There”'s the fluffy little dog named Gidget (Jenny Slate), who she loves Max and organizes a search for Max and Duke. Then there”'s Chole (Lake Bell) the very fat cat that loves to raid the refrigerator. A gangster bunny shows himself as a leader of some louche characters. And various animals (snakes, alligators, turtles, etc.) show up in the sewers of the city.
“Pets” is not on the same level as the Toy Story trilogy or WALLE-E, but it is therapeutic throughout. It has some humorous moments.
Cast: Louis C.K.(Max), Eric Stonestreet (Duke), Jenny Slate (Gidget), Kevin Hart (Snowball), Albert Brooks (Tiberius), Dana Carvey (Pops), Hannibal Buress (Buddy), Bobby Moynihan (Mel), Chris Renaud (Norman), Steve Coogan (Ozone/Reginald), Micheal Beattle (Tattoo), Sandra Echerria (Maria), Jaime Camil (Fernando), Lake Bell (Chloe). (PG) Running time:91 minutes.
Directors: Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud.