The Secret Life of Pets

Movie Review #8302 THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS.

OK, this was the light and amusing that I should have taken in last night instead of Sausage Party.

Trouble is today I was wanting more than light and amusing however this little effort isn't so bad. Usually these CGI outings carry entertainment for the kids but sufficient parody to keep adults happy too. This one is heavy on the former, lighter on the latter and tips hat towards the numerous CGI epics that have gone before.

There's elements of Flushed Away, Toy Story and plenty of others in this tale of New York household pets left to fend for themselves while owners are away earning a living. Happy pup Max gets a new roommate in Duke, whom initially upsets the tranquility equilibrium but when they find themselves out on the mean streets, the two them have to work together to survive. Encountering a bunch of bad dudes including a manic bunny, our pals work their way out of each challenge, all the while friends at home are mounting a rescue mission.

Predictable and short in the creativity stakes, there's nothing here that hasn't been done before and I found myself emitting the critic's yawn with some regularity by the end. However it's amusing enough to recommend as a kids adventure and certainly my fellow cinema goers under the age of 8 seemed to squeal with excitement at the expected antics of animals caught in humorous circumstances. I have to admit the sequence with the overweight cat going ballistic at the party with bowls of snacks as cats do did raise a smile from this grump bum.

Overall, one for the kids and I probably should have saved for the grandmuppets. Still one can't get it right all the time can one. 7/10.