‘The Secret Life Of Pets’ Review Roundup: New Animated Flick A Hit With Critics

The Secret Life of Pets, the latest animated flick from Illumination, promises to wow the crowds as it hits theaters this weekend.

In The Secret Life of Pets, dog-owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) decides to get her terrier Max (Louis C.K.) a playmate in the form of a large mutt named Duke (Eric Stonestreet). Before long, their in-house rivalry lands them outside of the New York City apartment walls, forcing them to deal with the animals of the streets – including cat Ozone (Steve Coogan) and bunny Snowball (Kevin Hart). It becomes up to their fellow apartment-dwelling pals pup Gidget (Jenny Slate), kitten Chloe (Lake Bell) and guinea Pig Norman (Chris Renaud) to find them.

The Secret Life of Pets Reviews

Overall, critics have found The Secret Life of Pets to be a diverting family film. The consensus is that those who are pet owners themselves will take particular pleasure in watching the humorous look at what one’s animals could be up to in their owners’ presence. Some critics are even anticipating that it won’t be long before a sequel to The Secret Life of Pets is greenlit.

“The formula may be familiar, but the personalities are completely fresh, yielding a menagerie of loveable — if downright ugly — cartoon critters banding together to help these two incompatible roommates from ending up on the streets. Based on an original idea by Illumination honcho Chris Meledandri, “Pets” is the studio’s most accomplished feature, from both a story and animation standpoint, tapping into an endlessly expandable core concept — which could conceivably be repeated ad infinitum, ideally with an entirely new domesticated ensemble each time out.” – Peter Debruge, Variety

“Here’s something dog people and cat people can agree on: “The Secret Life of Pets” is hilarious, sweet and as fun for parents as the brats they take with them to the movies. […] “The Secret Life of Pets” isn’t all laughs and thrills. It makes the case for how people treat pets – humans are known to flush unwanted snakes or fish and “free” birds or rabbits – albeit through a very hyper Hart in the shape of a tiny bucktoothed cottontail. But it’s a good lesson for kids and the adults who purchase the animals.” – Raakhee Mirchandani, New York Daily News

“Dogs and cats living together equals mass hysteria, and adding in lizards and pigs hijacking cars turns everyday situations entertainingly nutty in The Secret Life of Pets. Animals’ seemingly mundane existences spawn high adventure and constant action in the animated comedy, where even the jokes about dog poop and rabbit droppings are surprisingly smart. Directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, Secret Life anchors itself on an oh-so-familiar concept but sparkles most when imagining some of its crazier shenanigans, such as a poodle headbanging to heavy metal or a dachshund using an electric mixer as a scratching device.” – Brian Truitt, USA Today

“Directed by the Despicable Me franchise’s Chris Renaud, The Secret Life of Pets is a pet-lover’s loving salute to the domesticated animals we rely on to bring us comfort, companionship, and triple-digit veterinary bills. […] In much the same way that the smash Zootopia demonstrated that creatures of different culture and class and species are better off when they come together, The Secret Life of Pets is a testament to teamwork and friendship and fixing the rifts that divide us.Let the fur – and the warm, fuzzy feelings – fly.” – Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer