Film review: The Secret Life of Pets (U)

Max (voiced by Louis C K) finds his ordered world as a pampered pet under threat when owner Katie brings home mountainous rescue dog Duke.Things take a turn for the unknown when both mutts wind up loose when out for a walk. Rescued from dogcatchers by a feisty white rabbit named Snowball (Kevin Hart), they join a bunch of abandoned animals.What begins as a comedic study of the parallel world of pets – watch what they get up to as soon as their owners close the door – eventually morphs into a chase across the city with a psychotic villain – a mad-eyed bunny – leading the bad guys.

Slapstick vies with pratfall knockabout and frenetic pell-mell pursuit as this odd couple (and assorted neighbours) bond over shared experiences. Kids will laugh at their predicaments, but they will learn some life lessons along the way about companionship, loyalty, guilt and love. The voice cast is particularly strong with contributions from Steve Coogan, Dana Carvey and Albert Brooks. And if the story is a little too reminiscent of the gang’s odyssey from Toy Story 2 then it’s none the worse for that.

Tony Earnshaw