There is an important message in there, that kind of gets lost.

Rating: 6/10 (13 July 2016)

'THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS': Three Stars (Out of Five)
A computer-animated kids' movie; about a spoiled terrier, that has to deal with another dog his owner suddenly brings home. The two canines go on an adventure together, in Brooklyn. The film was directed by Chris Renaud (who also co-directed 'DESPICABLE ME' 1 and 2), and it was co-directed by Yarrow Cheney (who served as a production designer on 'DESPICABLE ME' 1 and 2). It was written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (the two also co-wrote 'DESPICABLE ME' 1 and 2), as well as Brian Lynch (who also wrote 'MINIONS'). The movie stars the voice talents of Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Coogan, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress and Albert Brooks. It's received decent reviews from critics, and it's also been a blockbuster at the Box Office (making over $100 million, domestically, in it's first weekend). I thought it was OK.
The movie tells the story of a very happy terrier, named Max (C.K.). Max lives very contently, with his owner Katie (Kemper), in a Manhattan apartment building. He loves his pampered life, with Katie, and while she's gone (his least favorite time of the day) he hangs out with other pets from the building. Then Katie brings home a very large (and messy) dog, named Duke (Stonestreet); that she rescued from the pound. Max is very unhappy, at Duke's sudden presence in his home, and the two don't get along. When Duke tricks Max, into running into the city with him, the two must team together (and work out their differences) to find their way back home.
The animation is decent, and it's a mildly funny movie. I definitely didn't find it to be too boring, or overly stupid, but there is an important message in there (about not abandoning animals) that kind of gets lost. It's like the filmmakers wanted to make a more insightful (and educational) movie, about taking good care of your pets, but then they decided to desert the idea; for cheap laughs and cheesy drama, instead. Still, it's not a bad film, it just could have been a lot better.
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