The Secret Life of Toy Story.

Rating: 7/10 (13 July 2016)

The Secret Life of Pets (2016): Dir: Yarrow Chaney, Chris Renaud / Voices: Louis C.K, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Albert Brooks: While the premise is amusing it was still the same question asked regarding the toys in Toy Story only this time it is what our pets do when our backs are turned as oppose to toys. Another similarity is that instead of cowboy doll Woody trying to get rid of space toy Buzz Lightyear, it is a Jack Russell Terrier named Max dealing with the new arrival of a big shaggy dog named Duke. Max tries to get rid of Duke, which eventually lands them both in the pound and dealing with abandoned critters in the sewer. This is way too intense for young children. We have a moment where Max and Duke are nearly sacrificed to a one fanged viper, which ends badly for the viper. There is also talk of killing owners, which should lead to interesting conversations with children. We know the drill but at least the characters and animation have appeal. Louis C.K provides the bewildered sarcasm of Max while Eric Stonestreet voices Duke who is given an interesting back story regarding his previous owner. There are a number of colorful supporting characters including a fluffy white Pomeranian named Gidget who leads the search for Max and has romantic feelings for him. Kevin Hart voices a rabbit named Snowball who leads the rebellion against humans. Albert Brooks steals the film voicing a hawk freed by Gidget and against his hungry nature must help her find Max. While it plays on the nature of pets and their lives in private this is still no Toy Story...1, 2 or 3. Score: 7 / 10