Have you ever paused, leaving your home, and wondered, “What exactly do my pets get up to while I’m gone?” It’s a universal curiosity for pet owners, a question that has sparked imaginations for decades, echoing through cartoons from Tom and Jerry’s antics to Phineas and Ferb’s elaborate creations. While the core concept isn’t new, the possibilities for exploring this secret world are as boundless as a pet’s energy. Illumination Entertainment, the studio renowned for global sensations like Despicable Me and the Minions phenomenon, tapped into this very curiosity with a teaser trailer that posed a simple yet captivating question: what do our pets do all day? The world was instantly intrigued. We’ve seen pets as spies, pets with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and pets embarking on epic journeys home. But could this animation studio bring a fresh, engaging perspective to this timeless trope?
What we received was a visually stunning animated film, brimming with humor and warmth, that, while occasionally overstuffed with plot, delivers on its promise of exploring the hidden lives of our beloved companions. It’s a film with a big heart and good intentions, even if it does occasionally take cues from a certain animated classic from the 1990s.
The story centers on Max, voiced by Louis C.K. (in the original release), a spirited Jack Russell Terrier living his best life in New York City with his owner, Katie. Illumination perfectly captures the boundless enthusiasm and affectionate nature of a Jack Russell. However, Max’s idyllic world is disrupted when Katie brings home Duke (Eric Stonestreet), a large, shaggy Newfoundland mix. Territorial instincts kick in, and Max’s attempts to regain his sole-pet status inadvertently lead to the pair being picked up by animal control after a chaotic attempt by Duke to abandon Max. Forced to rely on each other, Max and Duke must navigate the unfamiliar streets and find their way back home. Their journey takes a dramatic turn when they stumble upon a secret underground society of abandoned and disgruntled animals. This clandestine group is led by Snowball (Kevin Hart), a rabbit with more than a few anger management issues and a surprisingly large following. After an unfortunate incident involving a member of Snowball’s crew, Max and Duke find themselves marked for revenge. Meanwhile, back in the comfort of their apartment building, Gidget (Jenny Slate), a fluffy Pomeranian harboring a massive crush on Max, rallies their diverse group of animal neighbors for a daring rescue mission.
The central critique leveled against The Secret Life of Pets is hard to ignore: the narrative echoes Toy Story in several key aspects. This isn’t just a subtle nod; the parallels are quite pronounced. We have a protagonist deeply attached to their owner, thrown into turmoil by a new arrival, leading to an adventure far from home. The themes of jealousy, friendship forged in adversity, and the journey back to loved ones are undeniably reminiscent of the Pixar classic. Even elements from Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 find their reflections here, with friends uniting for a rescue mission and a seemingly cuddly antagonist revealing a darker side. Perhaps the most significant original element is the distinct animal language; while they communicate amongst themselves, they remain unable to speak to humans, grounding their secret lives in a more believable, albeit still fantastical, reality. Despite these similarities, dismissing the film entirely would be a mistake. Many viewers, already aware of the Toy Story comparisons, can appreciate The Secret Life of Pets for its own merits: a fast-paced, slapstick comedy with a cast of endearing talking animals. Acknowledging the familiar blueprint allows one to focus on the unique charm and effort invested in the film’s other aspects.
The animation is genuinely exceptional. The textures and movement of the animals, while stylized for comedic effect, are remarkably true to life. New York City is brought to the screen with vibrant detail and an impressive sense of scale. The characters possess a tangible weight and presence, making them feel like real animals despite their cartoonish designs. The voice acting is equally commendable; the actors convincingly embody their animal counterparts, creating characters that sound authentically animalistic rather than simply humans voicing animals. It’s a subtle but crucial distinction that enhances the film’s immersive quality.
Character development, while present, primarily focuses on Max and Duke. Duke, in particular, has a genuinely touching backstory that, unfortunately, feels somewhat rushed and underdeveloped. The film introduces a plethora of characters, each with their own distinct personality and quirks, contributing to the film’s lively and engaging atmosphere. While this abundance of characters is part of the film’s charm and leaves you wanting to see more of them, it also hints at a potential drawback: a sequel-driven franchise. Whether this is a positive or negative aspect remains to be seen. The Secret Life of Pets, despite its narrative shortcomings, feels like a strong foundation for a potentially creative and long-lasting franchise. The world and characters are rich with possibilities, suggesting that further installments could be genuinely exciting. The key question is whether the franchise will maintain its creative spark or succumb to over-commercialization, as seen with other Illumination properties like the Minions series.
The humor in The Secret Life of Pets is largely successful, with a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and gentler chuckles. A well-placed jab at ubiquitous YouTube cat videos provides a moment of contemporary relevance, and the heavy metal-loving poodle is a consistent source of amusement. The animators and voice actors infuse the animals with delightful quirks and relatable behaviors, such as dogs’ notoriously short attention spans and cats’ penchant for squeezing into boxes that are clearly too small. Pet owners will find a wealth of relatable moments throughout the film, particularly in the heartwarming conclusion.
Ultimately, The Secret Life of Pets is a mixed bag, but a genuinely enjoyable one. It possessed the potential to be truly groundbreaking, and that potential still exists for the franchise as a whole. This beautifully animated film offers plenty of entertainment, even if it lacks a truly sharp bite of originality. If you leave the theater without a smile, perhaps you need to reconnect with your inner animal lover.
Rating: B2
