The Secret Life of Pets

2016  PG  ANIMATED  1h 27min

CAST— Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Coogan, Albert Brooks

MUSIC— Alexandre Desplat  DIRECTOR— Chris Renaud

     They're friends. They're family. They're always there for you. So why do you leave them every day in pursuit of meaningless things when you could be curled up with your pets? The answer to that question eludes Max, a small dog with a big heart, a heart belonging to his guardian, Katie. Though Max and Katie obviously belong together, for some reason she decides to add another dog to the mix: Duke, a big ol' shaggy thing. When Duke begins to take over the house, Max puts in motion a plan to rid himself of this new menace. Things backfire when both of them wind up loose in the city, eventually being captured by animal control officers. Oddly enough, rescue arrives in the form of an assortment of animals led by a rogue bunny. These guys are the Flushed Pets, creatures discarded, forgotten, abandoned, whose plan is the ultimate downfall of humanity. Thinking Max and Duke are bad to the bone people haters, they're recruited into the ranks. Things turn sour quickly, leaving Max and Duke on the streets again, now pursued by the Flushed Pets as well as animal control. But never fear; Max's neighborhood buddies (plus a few new pals) are rounded up, a rescue mission underway. All throughout, Max and Duke come to rely on each other, trust each other, even like each other. Entertaining, providing plenty of laughs and a few "awww" moments. Though primarily produced for the kids there's still stuff to keep adults interested, as well. Fine entertainment for a family movie night (family including pets, of course).

OUR RATING— ** ½