The Secret Life of Pets review – a humorous look at what your pets get up to when you’re not around

‘Max the pampered terrier and Duke the giant unruly dog end up on a daring journey home with the help of a rabbit.’

The Secret Life of Pets is one of those light and breezy children film’s that has a lot for the kids but very little to entice the adults. In truth, the movie relies heavily on over the top characters and basic toilet humour which the little ones will find funny but leave us grown-ups hankering for the more nuanced and layered jokes that both age groups can enjoy. 

It’s not surprising considering the film’s from the same studio that brought us the Minions (2015). A group of juvenile, blabbering characters that only the kids would find funny and wore out their welcome right after the first Despicable Me (2010) film.

What also doesn’t help is the plot, which isn’t that interesting or emotionally engaging. The basic premise is essentially a copy of the first Toy Story (1995) but with animals as we follow Max (Louis C.K), a Terrier who lives a spoiled life in an apartment block with his owner, that is until she brings home a new dog called Duke (Eric Stonestreet).

What follows is the incredibly over familiar troupe of a hostile relationship slowly turning into friendship over some grand adventure trying to get home when they find themselves lost, and where they learn they’re not all that different after all. Also thrown in for good measure are two other side plots involving a group of revolutionary wild animals lead by a deranged bunny (Kevin Hart) and a rescue mission of all the other animals from the apartment trying to find Max and Duke.

Really, there’s too much going on which really stalls the emotional heart of the story. What Toy Story achieved with that core Woody and Buzz relationship, The Secret Life of Pets struggles with. Simply because not enough time is given over to Max and Dukes friendship. A lot is skipped over and you’ll find it slightly unbelievable how fast they become brothers in arms.

Renaud and Cheney make sure the pace never lets up as we jump from one action set piece to another, not really slowing down to get to know any of these animals. Too much time is giving over to side characters which also affects the central relationship of Max and Duke. 

Saying that, it is a fun film and that fast pace and light tone makes it a very enjoyable watch. Honestly, sometimes you don’t want every family film you watch to emotionally wreck you, sometimes you just want to be entertained which is certainly what this film does. The action scenes are handled well which will definitely keep the young ones glued to the screen.

‘The Secret Life of Pets isn’t going to win any awards, but it is a lot of fun for the children.’

There’s nothing particularly special about this film but neither is it terrible; it’s a very by the numbers movie hitting all the story beats it needs to hit and designed to engage its target audience and no more.