I am an avid fan of animation, computer or traditional. Most of the time they resonate well with me even if they are targeted to a younger audience. I’ll often watch animated films or tv shows when the kids aren’t around, or join them if they are. When word The Secret Life of Pets was a must watch for the whole family we took the kiddos to check it out. However, it turned out to be a big miss for me. Even the littles were not big fans.
The animation was solid, but I found many of the jokes to have missed their mark. What was marketed as a “what pets do at home when you’re not” film turned out to be a new sibling / lost in the city / caper type film that loses its momentum once the stay at home follies shift to the outside world. Boredem swept over me as I watch the film. Yes, it did have a few laughs here and there, but not much stood out other than Gidget (Jenny Slate) who’s in hardcore love with Max and will do anything to save him. With the comedic talents of Louis C.K. (Max) and Kevin Hart (Snowball) you’d believe I would have left with a sore midsection, but I was dismayed that I did not.
I did really enjoy the animation style. The characters were well drawn with cartoonish charm and the city of New York looked exceptionally good. The voice actors chosen did fit the characters even if I feel they didn’t get much to work with.
Unfortunately, The Secret Life of Pets is missing the charm that other Illumination Entertainment animated films have captured.
