The " Despicable Me" Company Makes Another Great Animation!

Rating: 9/10 (9 August 2017)

Walt Disney once said that the best animated films were not made just for children alone. An amazingly clever and intricately animated film for children of all ages. Yes, most of the animals can talk, but only when their owners aren't around just like "Toy Story". It would be a "10" except for: a vicious Viper Snake and talk about "doing away" with humans by the evil bunny and others. The first 30 minutes outshine the rest of the movie. Max the dog gets a new roommate in the form of a big lovable, sloppy, hairy "homeless" dog named Duke and they get lost together at the dog park. It's everything a good dog movie should be plus several things it shouldn't be. Several clichÃ©s intertwine with several unpredictable plot twists: Two animal gangs: despicable alley cats and rejected "flushed" pets (reptiles, spiders,snakes). The two dogs are mistaken as strays by two mean dogcatchers. "Duke" goes on a quest to look for his old master (who has died of old age). A "Mad Hatter" of an otherwise cute-looking bunny rabbit goes after them with a vengeance, then saves them both from certain drowning in the dogcatcher's truck. So many things going on including animals partying while the owner's "do whatever it is they do" during the workaday hours. Incredible action throughout the dangerous city including dark and smelly sewers and unfinished NYC skyscrapers. The ingenious use of many familiar songs, including "We Go Together" from "Grease", after Max and Duke have a food coma after pigging out on dozens and dozens of sausages at the hot dog factory. Overall, a fantastic family movie from Illumination Films who also made "The Minion Movie". Not perfect but excellent anyway. It's just "purr-fect"! I can see why it was such a box office hit in 2016! Look for an "Easter Egg" a few minutes into the ending credits. It is too intense for very small children under age 6 or so although several reviewers think it was made for that age group.