Do you have a pet? Did you ever want to know if they are just like us? If they do things odd when we humans are not around? If any of those questions crossed your mind then The film to see was The Secret Life of Pets. It was a fun, animated adventure about a few pets in the city of New York. With the success of that first film comes the sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2 where those same questions are further explored. And new questions are brought up. For any pet lover, this film is definitely for you. If you are a parent, your kids are going to love this film as well. But also anyone with a sense of humor and a heart will laugh out loud through most of this film. And maybe even get a few feels.
This sequel takes place not too far after the first film ends. Max (now voiced by Patton Oswalt, instead of Louis C.K.) Duke (Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family) and Katie (Ellie Kemper). But when Katie by happenstance meets Chuck (Pete Holmes) they get married, he moves in and eventually they have a son named Liam. At first, Max is apprehensive but he then comes to be Liam's protector. Max's protection and nerves are put to the test when the family heads out to a family farm where Max meets an alpha dog named Rooster (voiced by Harrison Ford). Meanwhile, Snowball (Kevin Hart), Gidget (Jenny Slate) and Chloe (Lake Bell) get into some hijinks of their own when they meet a new dog Daisy (Tiffany Haddish).
The whole original cast comes back for the sequel with a few new voice actors that I have mentioned. Being that this is a sequel, the story does pull focus a bit on certain groups of characters. It's much like an Avengers movie when multiple stories are all happening at once. But it comes together well on screen and all makes seen. Even coming to a head at the end of the film in a very hilarious way. The whole cast is excellent with Harrison Ford being a stand out in a small role. But much like the first film Hart & Slate's characters get the best moments. I find it amusing that an animated feature lets these comedic actors flex their muscles and they shine. Oswalt replacing C.K. works well and fits well with the story. Its almost as if they built the story around him, playing to his acting strengths.
The animation is done in a very interesting way. It's much like the Illumination style that they have gone with the Minions and Despicable Me series. Lots of long characters and the characters that get the focus of the story get fleshed out the best. It doesn't take away from the experience but it is noticeable. Thankfully none of the characters are the same. They each stand out and get their own moments. Co-directors Chris Renaud and Jonathan del Va (who doesn't get credited at the end of the film) know how to place a joke that kids will get and follow that up with a joke that will go over well with the adults in the audience. 90% of the gags land well, some even kill better than can be expected. I found myself hysterically laughing at a few of the gags.
The film does have a nice message of stepping out of your comfort zone and asking for help. There are a few moments when you can see these animals have issues that mirror humans, especially kids growing up. But it's a nice universal message or two that parents should take to heart as well. The film doesn't beat you over the head with it either. It's still pretty damn funny and entertaining all the while having a little something to say. Also, it's nice to see an animated feature where there are no songs or characters singing. The film follows a few interwoven stories and doesn't need a song to push it along. (Although, after the credits, there is a hilarious musical moment with one of the main character, I can take that because I was crying laughing)
The Secret Life of Pets 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel on animated features, but it does what the first film did best. It's an entertaining, funny animated feature with a great cast of actors and actresses who keep the story going. Their characters are great, the setting and animation are interesting. I enjoy the first film but this second film had me rolling in laughter. I can definitely see the film getting a third chapter. Everything that the first film does well, this second feature improves upon. I would call that a success in the sequel film world.
This sequel takes place not too far after the first film ends. Max (now voiced by Patton Oswalt, instead of Louis C.K.) Duke (Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family) and Katie (Ellie Kemper). But when Katie by happenstance meets Chuck (Pete Holmes) they get married, he moves in and eventually they have a son named Liam. At first, Max is apprehensive but he then comes to be Liam's protector. Max's protection and nerves are put to the test when the family heads out to a family farm where Max meets an alpha dog named Rooster (voiced by Harrison Ford). Meanwhile, Snowball (Kevin Hart), Gidget (Jenny Slate) and Chloe (Lake Bell) get into some hijinks of their own when they meet a new dog Daisy (Tiffany Haddish).
The whole original cast comes back for the sequel with a few new voice actors that I have mentioned. Being that this is a sequel, the story does pull focus a bit on certain groups of characters. It's much like an Avengers movie when multiple stories are all happening at once. But it comes together well on screen and all makes seen. Even coming to a head at the end of the film in a very hilarious way. The whole cast is excellent with Harrison Ford being a stand out in a small role. But much like the first film Hart & Slate's characters get the best moments. I find it amusing that an animated feature lets these comedic actors flex their muscles and they shine. Oswalt replacing C.K. works well and fits well with the story. Its almost as if they built the story around him, playing to his acting strengths.
The animation is done in a very interesting way. It's much like the Illumination style that they have gone with the Minions and Despicable Me series. Lots of long characters and the characters that get the focus of the story get fleshed out the best. It doesn't take away from the experience but it is noticeable. Thankfully none of the characters are the same. They each stand out and get their own moments. Co-directors Chris Renaud and Jonathan del Va (who doesn't get credited at the end of the film) know how to place a joke that kids will get and follow that up with a joke that will go over well with the adults in the audience. 90% of the gags land well, some even kill better than can be expected. I found myself hysterically laughing at a few of the gags.
The film does have a nice message of stepping out of your comfort zone and asking for help. There are a few moments when you can see these animals have issues that mirror humans, especially kids growing up. But it's a nice universal message or two that parents should take to heart as well. The film doesn't beat you over the head with it either. It's still pretty damn funny and entertaining all the while having a little something to say. Also, it's nice to see an animated feature where there are no songs or characters singing. The film follows a few interwoven stories and doesn't need a song to push it along. (Although, after the credits, there is a hilarious musical moment with one of the main character, I can take that because I was crying laughing)
The Secret Life of Pets 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel on animated features, but it does what the first film did best. It's an entertaining, funny animated feature with a great cast of actors and actresses who keep the story going. Their characters are great, the setting and animation are interesting. I enjoy the first film but this second film had me rolling in laughter. I can definitely see the film getting a third chapter. Everything that the first film does well, this second feature improves upon. I would call that a success in the sequel film world.