The Secret Life of Us.

Rating: 7/10 (19 November 2016)

After finding Minions to be an unexpectedly strong Comedy,I decided to keep a look out for other titles to come from Illumination studio. Gathering up Christmas presents,I was happy to learn that Illumination's newest creation has just come out on DVD,which led to me getting ready to meet some minion pets.
The plot:
Loyal to his owner Kate, Jack Russell Terrier Max spends the day waiting by the door for Kate to return to her apartment. As Max waits by the door,his friends in the apartment block Chloe (tabby cat), Mel (pug),dachshund Buddy and budgerigar Sweetpea come round to hang out with him.Returning home one night,Kate reveals that she has purchased a new,big shaggy dog called Duke. Jealous of Duke possibly taking his spot, Max tries to throw Duke out of the house,but ends up getting in a fight with Duke,and rolling out with him. Untying their tails,Max and Duke are horrified to find that they no longer know where they are.
View on the film:
Whilst cutting down on some of the mad-cap Comedy antics of Minions,the screenplay by Cinco Paul/Ken Daurio/Brian Lynch & Simon Rich hold the leads to character comedy that sparkles with a feline zest,from the harsh sewer underworld filled with very funny "thug" rabbits and snakes,to dogs secretly moshing to heavy metal music. Although they are unable to fully escape the shadow of Pixar's most famous toys,the writers do give the buddy comedy between Max and Duke a fresh coat,thanks to a light comedic tone being kept under their claws.
Peeking into the window of each apartment to see a pet leaping in joy at their owners return,directors Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud shake the fur with glowing primary colours which make each of the slick, distinctly designed animals bounce across the screen. Taking advantage of the excellent vocal work from Louis C.K./ Eric Stonestreet and Zootopia's Jenny Slate,the directors follow Max and Duke round in gliding camera moves which crisply capture the fur ball sight gags rolling in the background,as Max and Duke try to get back to their secret lives as Kate's pets.