The Secret Life of Pets 2

This sequel is much more of an ensemble piece than the first film, arguably living up to its title more as well.  Younger viewers should find plenty to enjoy, and although the flimsy plot doesn’t offer much for adults, the high gag rate had me chuckling all the way through.

Premise:  Various life changes leave Max (Patton Oswalt) suffering from stress and anxiety, which is only worsened when his owner takes him and Duke (Eric Stonestreet) to the country to visit family and their sheepdog Rooster (Harrison Ford). Meanwhile, Snowball (Kevin Hart) plays superheroes with his owner until he’s hired by Daisy (Tiffany Haddish) for a real-life rescue mission, and Gidget (Jenny Slate) is entrusted with protecting her beloved Max’s favourite toy while he’s away.

Review:

2016’s The Secret Life of Pets was a surprisingly amusing animated family film, where the talented voice cast and non-stop humour made up for a fairly pedestrian plot involving pets who got lost in New York.  This sequel builds on the franchise’s strengths by giving more screen time to its funniest characters, although the three plotlines are still little more than an excuse for a series of sketches and gags (but, believe it or not, that isn’t actually a bad thing).

Patton Oswalt takes over as Max (after Louis C.K. was quite rightly let go following the revelations about his conduct), but kids won’t even notice.  Oswalt’s delivery fits the character perfectly, especially as in this sequel, Max is more nervous and anxious than he was in the first film, as he struggles to adapt to various changes in his owner’s life.  Oswalt’s skittish demeanour contrasts nicely against Harrison Ford’s gruff and laid-back portrayal of new character Rooster, a veteran sheepdog who’s seen it all.  Once the action moves to Rooster’s farm, however, the storyline really focuses on Max and Rooster’s relationship, meaning that Eric Stonestreet has very little to do as returning character Duke (who was basically the co-lead of the first film).

“...Chloe (Lake Bell) has some of the film’s funniest moments...”

Back in the city, perhaps the funniest of the three plot-threads involves Gidget (Jenny Slate) being left to look after Max’s favourite toy while he’s out of time.  For reasons which I won’t spoil, Gidget ends up having to recruit the help of Chloe (Lake Bell), who gets a lot more to do in this sequel than she did in the first film, and who has some of the film’s funniest moments.

Meanwhile, in the third storyline, everyone’s favourite hyperactive rabbit is back, as Snowball (Kevin Hart) gets to live out his superhero fantasies when new character Daisy (Tiffany Haddish) comes asking for help on a dangerous rescue mission.

“...audiences come for the comedy, and this sequel delivers that in spades...”

Being brutally honest, none of the three storylines are likely to grip many adult viewers, although younger audience members probably will be.  The Max and Rooster storyline is effectively just a lesson in being calmer and less anxious, the Snowball storyline adds a bit of action and drama in relation to the rescue mission to give the film a bit of momentum, while the Gidget and Chloe plot thread is essentially just an extended sketch concept.

But … let’s be honest, no one really comes to a film like this for the plot (or at least, the adult viewers don’t) - they come for the comedy, and this sequel delivers that in spades.  I spent the entire film chuckling and grinning, and there were several scenes that made even the adult audience members laugh out loud.

“...genuinely funny & entertaining...”

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is not going to change anyone’s life, but it’s genuinely funny and entertaining, and is a family friendly film that everyone can enjoy together.  By the time the end credits roll, you may struggle to remember any specific standout plot moments, but you’ll probably have some favourite gags that you can discuss on the way home.