The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

"The Secret Life of Pets" stars Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Jenny Slate, Lake Bell, and Albert Brooks.  Released on July 8, 2016, the film has two dogs searching for their way back home in Manhattan.

The film is directed by Chris Renaud, who also directed Despicable Me, The Lorax, and Despicable Me 2.  Like Disney and Pixar, Illumination Entertainment, the animation company behind the Despicable Me franchise, decided to release two of their original projects in one year, starting with the film that answers the question, "What does your pet do when you leave for work or school every day?"  This film had caught my eye for a few months, mostly because of its concept and the voice work, but are they enough to leave us begging for more?

Pros:
The voice acting was good.

Kevin Hart as Snowball.

The animation was bright and colorful.

The pet-related humor was clever.

Suitable pacing for younger viewers.

Cons:
Predictable storyline.

The conflict between Max and Duke felt rushed.

Final thoughts: The story in "The Secret Life of Pets" couldn't match the potential of its concept, but with its colorful animation, some respectable voice acting, and humor, it is another solid win for the animation team behind the remarkable Despicable Me franchise.  Kids, adults, and pet owners alike will definitely like this film as much as I do.

B