THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS – Review

Need to get the kiddos outta’ that oppressive July heat? Public pool’s too crowded? What about the cool, crisp air (with a dash of popcorn aroma) over at the multiplex?  Sure Summer’s the time for action blockbusters and raucous comedies, but it’s also the season for all ages entertainment, particularly the animated feature offerings. Those ANGRY BIRDS flew out a few weeks ago, heading to the ole’ Redbox very soon. The wee ones have no doubt taken a dip or two with FINDING DORY, or they might be amongst the few to encounter THE B.F.G. (who knew he’d tank?). Luckily those fine folks at Universal and their animation partners at Illumination Entertainment, the Minions makers, may have just the thing. We’ve seen what toys do when left alone, what about your furry, feathered,and scaley pals? The title may sound like an undercover documentary, but laughs are in store as we explore THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS.

The main focus of the flick, the primary secret life, is that of narrator Max (voice of Louis C.K.), an adorable little white and brown-spotted terrier. He tells us of his perfect life when he was plucked out of a pet store by his human, a lanky twenty-something lady. Things were wonderful in their NYC apartment, even when Max’s person left for work in  the morning. That’s because this pooch has several friends in the building and neighborhood to visit: a couple of  “dog-bros”, a parakeet, a plump cat, and a lost hamster who roams the vents in search of home. But Max hangs out the most with a cute little white “puffball” of a lady pup named Gidget (Jenny Slate), who’s crushing on him big time. Yes, all’s well until that fateful day when Max’s human came home with….another dog, a shaggy, slobbering behemoth named Duke (Eric Stonestreet). The two immediately butt heads, until the tension explodes one day in Central park with their dog walker. They’re separated from their human, stripped of their collars, and almost captured by city animal control agents, after escaping a pack of nasty alley cats. Fortunately (or maybe not), the two are taken to the underground sewer headquarters of a motley group of abandoned animals led by one angry lil’ white bunny, Snowball (Kevin Hart) who vows revenge on humanity. Luckily Gidget realizes her furry dreamboat is missing and enlists the aid of several area pets, including a hungry hunting hawk named Tiberius (Albert Brooks), to locate him. Can she succeed, or will Max and Duke throw in with Snowball’s crew and give up on the long, long journey home?

This menagerie is voiced by a virtual who’s who of current comedy, vets and up-and-comers. Louis C.K. voices Max as a likable everyman (or “every dog”), a pup that tries to have an optimistic attitude even when confronted by a competitor. That rival being Duke, and Stonestreet gives him a non-confrontational almost passive-aggressive tone, in his introductory scenes. Some of his character’s edge is softened as we get to know some of his past (like Dory, Duke has trouble with “rememberie”). Slate is all energetic and enamored as the bouncy, take charge Gidget (she careens across the different settings like the old Pong game). It’s nice that she’s the one leading the charge. The biggest surprise may be the great vocal performance by Hart. I’ve found much of his screen characters irritating and one note. Perhaps being wrapped up in a fuzzy “wabbit” works better with his often manic, grating delivery. Several of Max’s pals are played by several gifted comic actors and stand-up stars such as Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Bobby Moynihan, and Hannibal Buress with a wonderfully creepy turn by Steve Coogan as the hairless leader of the vicious alley cats. But the real scene stealers might just be the veterans, a couple of real icons of comedy. Dana Carvey puts a new spin on his 90’s SNL complaining old “duffer” Weekend Update staple for the slow-movin’, but quick thinkin’ mastermind Pops, a big basset hound with two legs now on wheels (just love how he trips on his big long ears). And finally there’s Mr. Brooks, who’s back as papa Marlon in DORY, as Tiberius the hawk who’s fighting his predatory nature in order to help Gidget and finally have friends. Brooks gives him a lilting Eastern European (yeah, a bit of ole’ Bela) reminding us of a world-weary vampire who’s trying not to think of everyone else as a meal. I’d love to see some more of this bird.

Illumination mainstay Chris Renaud, one of the people behind the Dr. Seuss features and the DESPICABLE ME franchise and spin-offs, directs along with Yarrow Cheney. Like the other flicks, they keep the pace rolling along, just stopping long enough for several strategically placed frenetic slapstick action sequences. The look of the film is bright and shiny (I saw it without 3-D, but hopefully the upcharge doesn’t affect the color contrast) with the Big Apple looking like a merger of Metropolis and Oz. The character design is a good mix of ultra-exaggerated and sleek CGI. This is especially true of the sewer animals. The alligators are built like wrestlers with snouts nearly paper-thin (makes em’ a tad less scary I suppose), although the “initiation” beast would be right at home in any fantasy epic (like WARCRA-, oops, better not mention that flick ever again!). My only distraction was the spindly tiny legs given to those of, ahem, larger girth. Could they really stand up to the these “sandbag” bodies? Hey, it’s a cartoon, I know. My big complaint is the thin, derivative script, credited to three authors, which spends much of the running time spinning its wheels (or running in circles like a sleeping pup). Like Andy’s toys, they do lots of “people activities”, then have to make their way back home (in time for their unaware human’s return). A side trip to a sausage factory (not that Rogen flick!) is a time gobbling (just like, well) distraction (yeah, we know Busby Berkley, too). Plus the big shaggy co-star, Duke, is never really fleshed out (I’m aware of the contradiction in his size). He remains a threat to sweet lil’ Max (who could be crushed by a swipe of Duke’s portly paw) for the majority of the adventure. Story-wise, this doesn’t tap into anything new, but the wee tykes will ooo and awww over the puppies and kitties, then giggle and squeal  at the toilet humor (yeah, they get a drink there), but their folks might get a bit…fidgety (that’s a switch!). After the sophisticated, even emotionally moving work from Disney (on their own pictures plus the Pixar releases) and Dreamworks (the first DRAGON still packs a wallop), this is too familiar. It tickles the funny bone, but never really engages the head and heart. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS has admirable elements, but it’s just better than average matinée material. Who’s a fairly good movie? You are! Yes, you are!

3 Out of 5