[REVIEW] The Secret Life of Pets
“The Secret Life of Pets” is the latest animated film from Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind “Despicable Me” and “Minions”. The film explores a fascinating question: What do pets do when their owners are away?
Although this concept isn’t entirely new (a similar question was posed in “Toy Story” in 1995 with toys as the main characters), “The Secret Life of Pets” offers a fresh perspective. The film starts with the main character, Max, a small dog loved dearly by his owner Katie. However, Max’s life changes when Katie brings home a large, messy dog named Duke from the city animal shelter. The rivalry between Max and Duke leads to an unexpected adventure as they get lost and encounter various other pets in the city.
A strong point of the film is how directors Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney continuously introduce new characters. Each new development brings fresh faces into the story without overshadowing the main characters. This approach helps keep the film engaging and avoids monotony.
At the beginning, we meet other charming characters such as Gidget, the naive white dog; Chloe, the lazy fat cat; and Mel, the butterfly-chasing dog. When Max and Duke find themselves in trouble, the film introduces a villainous group led by Snowball, a mischievous rabbit, along with quirky members of a gang of abandoned animals.
Humor is a key element in “The Secret Life of Pets”. The amusing situations and unique personalities of the characters provide plenty of laughs right from the start. The film succeeds in keeping the audience entertained, despite some weaknesses in the script and character development.
The film conveys a message about friendship and the care people give to their pets, but lacks the deep emotional moments that could make audiences cry—something Pixar films often excel at. Some characters, particularly Snowball, have inconsistent development and follow the plot rather than having well-defined personalities.
In terms of visuals, “The Secret Life of Pets” represents a new milestone for Illumination. The depiction of New York is vibrant and colorful. Scenes with bright colors and detailed design give the impression of a comic book. The character designs and fur rendering are also commendable.
The soundtrack is another highlight of the film. Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York” sets a lively tone from the start, and composer Alexandre Desplat provides great song choices for each scene, enhancing the emotional energy of the film.
Similar to “Minions” (2015), the primary goal of “The Secret Life of Pets” is to entertain, and it successfully achieves this. With its adorable characters, meticulous animation, and energetic music, “The Secret Life of Pets” is an engaging animated film that continues Illumination’s tradition of creating enjoyable and upbeat experiences.
