The Secret Life of Pets 2 is Illumination's latest film after Despicable Me 3, and it takes place a few years after the previous film. In it, Max and Duke go on vacation to the countryside with their owner and her newfound family. Alongside this, the other pets in New York City get into other shenanigans while the two are away.
The original Secret Life of Pets was honestly nothing special, at least to me. It felt like an enjoyable experience for younger moviegoers that keeps them quiet for an hour and a half. I will admit that the sequel has its charms. As an adult viewer, I got quite a few laughs from the film, as it has its unpredictably funny and silly moments. I thought Patton Oswalt did a great job as the replacement for Max. The animation was still very lively and larger than life, which fits the film's tone. Finally, the movie has some great messages for kids that they can take home after the film ends.
Despite these positive aspects, I had quite a few problems with the film. My biggest problem with it is with the story. After the first act, the movie divides its plot into three different stories. All of these stories are some of the most cookie-cutter, basic plots I've seen in an animted film, even from a movie from Illumination. They're all so safe and predictable, and they even feel tacked on to pad the film. The way these plots come together by the end also feel forced and unnatural. The one good thing I can say about the story, however, is that, unlike the original film, it doesn't rehash Toy Story's plot.
There really isn't that much to say about a movie as generic as this one. If I were to review the original Secret Life of Pets, I could say a lot more about it. This movie on the other hand is extremely forgettable and completely unnecessary. This is all-in-all a harmless sequel on the other hand, and I feel like kids will enjoy it. This movie, however, could not be more generic even if it tried.
4/10
The original Secret Life of Pets was honestly nothing special, at least to me. It felt like an enjoyable experience for younger moviegoers that keeps them quiet for an hour and a half. I will admit that the sequel has its charms. As an adult viewer, I got quite a few laughs from the film, as it has its unpredictably funny and silly moments. I thought Patton Oswalt did a great job as the replacement for Max. The animation was still very lively and larger than life, which fits the film's tone. Finally, the movie has some great messages for kids that they can take home after the film ends.
Despite these positive aspects, I had quite a few problems with the film. My biggest problem with it is with the story. After the first act, the movie divides its plot into three different stories. All of these stories are some of the most cookie-cutter, basic plots I've seen in an animted film, even from a movie from Illumination. They're all so safe and predictable, and they even feel tacked on to pad the film. The way these plots come together by the end also feel forced and unnatural. The one good thing I can say about the story, however, is that, unlike the original film, it doesn't rehash Toy Story's plot.
There really isn't that much to say about a movie as generic as this one. If I were to review the original Secret Life of Pets, I could say a lot more about it. This movie on the other hand is extremely forgettable and completely unnecessary. This is all-in-all a harmless sequel on the other hand, and I feel like kids will enjoy it. This movie, however, could not be more generic even if it tried.
4/10