Film Meaning Review - Secret Life of Pets

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2016)

By Ken Standfield, Film Meaning Specialist. Film Review. September 9th, 2016
Movies are entertaining because they have meaning. That meaning has the power to change our perception, how we view others and sometimes our very lives. We watch films for their meaning. Yet so often, reviews are about scripts, actors, sets, special effects, music and other more tangible parts of the film. Yet, it is the meaning, that connects an audience with a film and makes it immortal or a failure. As a Film Meaning Specialist, my job is to share the different meanings and morals of a film so audiences can get more value from the films they watch.
The Secret Life of Pets is a film literally filled with meaning. We spotted 20 meanings, and there are more. In this film review, there are no spoilers.
Message 1: Jealousy happens when supply is limited. Moral: When two fight over the full attention of a 3rd party, things get ugly, competition occurs and aggression follows.
Message 2: Size and strength gives power, temporarily. Moral: The stronger opponent can be fierce and intimidating until they are out- thought and out-positioned by a more intelligent rival. People are intelligent and will find a way to use size and strength against you.
Message 3: The one in charge is in charge, temporarily. Moral: A dominant individual who uses fear to punish those around them, will control others for a time, but not forever. Seek cooperation and understanding to avoid retribution.
Message 4: Done by accident or on purpose? Moral: A goal achieved by accident counts as much as a goal achieved by planning and deliberate thought. If an accident gives the right outcome, pursue it.
Message 5: The threat of punishment gives you power over others, temporarily. Moral: A weaker party can control a stronger party through the threat of punishment. However, when abused, the stronger party will reassert their dominance.
Message 6: Abuse creates revenge. Moral: Abusing and mistreating others will eventually cause revenge.
Message 7: Strength in numbers. Moral: Seemingly weak parties become strong when they cooperate together. If you are weak, increase your followers.
Message 8: Similarity creates connection. Moral: Common ground (shared experiences) can be used to create a bond with hostile parties. Find the similarities to eliminate the differences.
Message 9: Desperate people lie. Moral: Desperate people lie to avoid punishment.
Message 10: Emotional connection energises. Moral: To get help an emotional bond and emotional connection needs to exist. The stronger the bond, the more help that is freely given.
Message 11: Acting against instincts is difficult, but possible. Moral: Instinctive reactions can be managed, but it is difficult and a struggle – until new habits form.
Message 12: Connection creates loyalty. Moral: To have loyalty, you must be first emotionally connected. Likewise, an emotional connection creates loyalty.
Message 13: Lies have no detail. Moral: Continue to ask for ever increasing detail when confronted with a story you think is a lie. Lies have no detail, so the story will change over time, or clearly show itself as false.
Message 14: Lies have an expiration date. Moral: The truth cannot be buried. Lies are temporary and always uncovered.
Message 15: Mutual enemies create cooperation. Moral: My enemy's enemy is my friend. We see this message play out in global politics all the time. Sometimes, your enemy's enemy becomes your enemy again. Be careful with enemies.
Message 16: Know the one who knows as many people as possible. Moral: To get to your goal sometimes you need help. Find the one with highest access to information and knowledge to help you get what you need.
Message 17: Knowledge is more powerful than strength. Moral: Handicaps when ignored and when intelligence and knowledge are leveraged are no longer handicaps. Proof: Stephen Hawkins.
Message 18: Don't think negatively, get the facts. Moral: Negative thinking prevents the truth being known and creates inactivity and stagnation. Keep moving. Question the negative thought and get the facts. Good or bad, the outcome is not important, getting the facts is the outcome.
Message 19: We stall to avoid pain. "Let's have a long talk about why you think I am stalling." So cute, but so powerful a message. Moral: Avoidance of pain slows or stops you from finding the facts. Ignore negative voices and focus on getting the facts, whatever they are.
Message 20: The power of love is the strongest force in the universe. Moral: Love gives life meaning and purpose. To get love, give love. Dogs are especially gifted at giving love.
We hope you have found these messages of value.
Ken Standfield is a film meaning specialist who explores and shares the ideas, concepts, morals and messages in films to assist audiences get the maximum value possible out of the investment they make in watching movies. Ken has watched tens of thousands of films and is a movie reviewer. See more reviews on www.filmmeaningspecialist.com