Time Warner Cable News film critic Neil Rosen reviews “The Secret Life Of Pets,” a new animated feature from the same folks that brought you “Despicable Me” and “Minions.”
Max the dog has a pretty nice life living with his loving owner in New York City. But his world is about to be turned upside down.
Max doesn't want to share his owner's attention with anyone. But when a dog walker accidentally abandons them both in Manhattan, these two rival dogs begin a perilous adventure, where they have to help each other in order to survive and make their way back home.
Along the way, they have to dodge dogcatchers as well as a group of rebel animals, led by a crazed rabbit, who want to destroy humankind, so that all animals can be free.
The best thing in the movie is Louis C.K., who voices Max. He greatly brightens the proceedings. So does the always-welcome Albert Brooks as a conflicted hawk. However, Kevin Hart as the nutty bunny is over the top most of the time and he's not very appealing.
The animated shots of New York are fine, but they are not overly impressive. There are a couple of jokes that click. But there's also a lot of tiring chase scenes, filled with too many animals to keep track of.
Structurally there are many elements from the Toy Story films here, but make no mistake about it, this is no Pixar movie as it lacks the heart and clever grown up humor that is a staple of that studio.
Pets is basically a by the numbers, pretty predictable, perfunctory movie that will appeal to kids aged eight to twelve. However, adults will be pretty much left out in the cold.
Neil Rosen’s Big Apple Rating:
Two and a Half Apples