Comparisons are inevitable between this film and Disney’s Zootropolis, which opened earlier this year. But although both are populated with wisecracking animals, The Secret Life of Pets is closer thematically to Pixar’s Toy Story. Both the dynamic between pets/toys and owners/children and the rivalry between established favourite and new usurper feel as though they have been lifted from the John Lasseter film. The latest picture from the Despicable Me director Chris Renaud, Pets might not have quite the same wit and polish in terms of screenplay as Zootropolis. But it does deliver brilliantly when it comes to visual jokes, action set pieces, physical comedy and unabashed silliness. The sight gags come so thick and fast in this tale of a small terrier, his oversized, hirsute roommate and a despotic rabbit with a grudge against humanity that it’s hard to take them all in on first viewing.
Watch the trailer for The Secret Life of Pets.
The movie opens innocently and funny enough, showing us several scenes of different pets acting in ways that would horrify their owners if they were home to see them. We quickly find out that Max [Louis C. K.] is an extremely lovable terrier who is the central character of the movie. All the other pets in the building Max lives in hang out in his apartment during the day while their owners are at work. All is perfect for Max in his paradise of a home until his owner brings home a new dog, Duke which she rescued from the dog pound. Duke and Max quickly become rivals, with both of them taking turns having the upper hand.
An attempt by Duke to get rid of Max once and for all horribly backfires, causing the two of them to ultimately wind up being caught by two inept dog catchers who also have a vicious dog inside their truck. Fortunately[?] for them, the aforementioned rabbit enacts a rescue of the dog and agrees to free Max and Duke. At this point, we learn that the rabbit is actually the leader of a vast underground society of abandoned pets, reminiscent of a demented land of misfit toys. During a gang initiation ceremony, things go chaotically wrong, leading to Max and Duke fleeing for their lives. The remainder of the movie is one chase scene after another. Will the evil abandoned pets catch the boys before Max’s friends who are attempting a rescue can save them?
Objectionable Issues
This is a cartoon. I’m happy to report there is no nudity of sexual situations. There are also no curse words, although there are several times characters use insults such as stupid, idiot and dumb. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scenes of mayhem and destruction of property along with quite a lot of physical violence. One character also experiences a very violent death!
There is a very strange scene in the middle of the movie involving two characters and a sausage factory that I’m still not sure what I saw. It seemed almost like I was viewing a drug or alcohol induced trip which would be very out of place.
There is absolutely zero mention of God or anything religious in this movie.
Positive Lessons
Throughout the movie the theme of friendship and the importance of it are emphasized. This can be used to explain verses showing how God views us, such as ,
“I no longer call you servants, I call you my friends!”
The concept of accepting others just as they are is another powerful message in the movie. This can be used to illustrate ,
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…”
And, of course, the concept of forgiveness is a major theme in this movie. This gives a great opportunity to explain ,
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you!”
While I have no problem recommending this movie, I would strongly suggest that the level of violence is too intense for younger children. I would not recommend it for children under 10 years old.
Violence: Heavy / Language: Mild—“holy schnitzel,” “heck,” “oh my gosh,” “shut up,” “Ah, pellet!” / Sex/Nudity: Minor
Many of the most entertaining videos posted on YouTube or shared on social media sites show animals at play. We love to watch kittens frolic on the floor, batting paws at each other, jumping up and down, and then running swiftly around the room. We relish seeing what pets discover through their natural curiosity about the world. Particularly popular are videos of animal allies – cats and dogs and birds and wild animals who have somehow managed to bond and have adventures together.
The Secret Life of Pets is an animated family film that celebrates the central place of play, curiosity, and companionship in the lives of a crosscut of urban animals who have a series of adventures while their human companions are away from home.
Max [voiced by Louis C.K.] is a cute Irish terrier who enjoys a close and meaningful relationship with his owner Katie [Ellie Kemper]. Every day he sits by the door, eagerly awaiting her arrival home after work. But this cozy and exclusive relationship ends when she adopts Duke [Eric Stonestreet], a large and scruffy dog who takes over Max's bed and food.
All the pets in the neighborhood drop their predictable behavior and revert to animalistic antics when their human companions are away. A poodle turns off the classical music and delights in dancing to heavy metal music. Chloe [Lake Bell], a very fat cat, enjoys raiding the refrigerator in her apartment. Gidget [Jenny Slate], a beautiful little white dog who has a crush on Max, tries to get his attention.
When Max and Duke are accidentally left behind by the dog walker and are picked up by Animal Control, Gidget, the other household pets, plus a trained falcon [Albert Brooks] set out to find them. They run into trouble with a large contingent of "flushed pets" – feral cats, crocodiles, snakes, rats, and other animals led by a fierce bunny named Snowball [Kevin Hart]. Meanwhile, as they orchestrate a series of escapes and close calls, Max and Duke learn to rely upon each other and become buddies.
Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney serve as directors for this funny and endearing tale which will appeal to children and adults alike, especially animal lovers. Animal psychologist Marc Bekoff describes a behavior of dogs and their canine cousins, wolves and coyotes. They tilt their heads down in a "play bow" to send the message to other animals that "I want to play!"
Before you begin watching this family film, play bow and then enjoy witnessing the rambunctious energy of animals as they learn some valuable lessons in the city.