The Secret Life of Pets Parent Guide

Have you ever wondered what your pet does while you’re away? Imagining an answer to that question appears to be the inspiration for this animation. Likewise, the opening few minutes of The Secret Life of Pets shows some very funny ways dogs, cats, birds and a lost guinea pig find to amuse themselves during those long, lonely hours. But after introducing that creative premise the story sort of peters out of original ideas.

Focusing mostly on Max (voice of Louis C.K.), a patchy pooch devoted to his owner Katie (voice of Ellie Kemper), things really begin the day she comes home with an unwelcomed surprise – a large scraggy stray named Duke (voice of Eric Stonestreet). Jealousy starts immediately as the forced roommates attempt to establish who will be the alpha dog.

This rivalry eventually gets the pair lost in the streets of New York City where they meet up with the Flushed Pets Gang. Led by a nasty bunny (voice of Kevin Hart), these scrappy survivors are intent on getting vengeance on the humans who have abandoned and/or abused them. (Some of the members of this group are shown with muzzles or cages stuck on them.) Max and Duke quickly realize their only hope for escaping from the unsavory sewer-dwellers is learning to work together. Unbeknownst to either of them, a rescue mission is being launched from home by Max’s neighborhood friends: Gidget a feisty white puffball (voice of Jenny Slate), a dachshund known as Buddy (voice of Hannibal Buress), a pug named Mel (voice of Bobby Moynihan), a fat cat called Chloe (voice of Lake Bell) and an unlikely ally—Tiberius a bird of prey (voice of Albert Brooks). Meanwhile a pair of animal control officers are ready to catch the lot of them.

With a plot as hyperactive and directionless as a new puppy, the frenetic action bounces between scenes of silly antics and crude pet behavior (such as sniffing/licking private body parts and urinating/defecating), to dangerous situations and terrifying bad guys (some with intentions to kill or eat others). Although sexual innuendo and profanities are happily almost non-existent, this screenplay is still hard to recommend because older audiences will likely find it too juvenile, while little ones are sure to be frightened.

As well, seasoned movie goers are certain to recognize how this script has borrowed from other productions. For instance, Toy Story depicts the secret life of playthings, Bolt follows a group of animals trying to find their way home, Hoodwinked stars another raging rabbit, and An American Tale is also set in NYC with villains who hide out in the sewers.

Pet owners will perhaps be the best bet for fans of this film. They are the most likely to be able to relate to the way people dote over their four-legged children, and to chuckle at the outlandish behavior these trusted companions could be up to during the daylight hours when their masters disappear.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.