Great fun

Rating: 8/10 (23 May 2018)

Max's comfortable and happy existence, marred only by Katie's inexplicable absences every day, is thrown into chaos when extremely large and bumptious Duke comes into the household. The ensuing conflict finds them out on the street, imprisoned by Animal Control as homeless strays, and pursued by pets from the apartments who are trying to rescue Max, and an assortment of outlaw animals, led by psycho bunny Snowball, intent on revenge-based harm.
We love our pets, don't we? And we especially love to read human characteristics into them. The partial anthropomorphising of Max, Duke and Co. is cheating a bit - they have animal characteristics when that suits the movie, and they have human characteristics when that is appropriate - but that's no more than we do with our pets anyway, is it? And the fact that these characters can have both animal and human attributes as the story demands is not only absolutely fine, it feeds the film with charm and laughs.
This CGI adventure is packed with action and humour. There is a huge cast, and every character is well designed with a distinctive look and an even more distinct character - you never get the various animals confused, and every one stays true to his character throughout. The look of the film is hugely attractive, with a New York which is realised in bright colours and simplified design, but recognisably the Big Apple nevertheless.
But the thing which raises Secret Life above the average is the subtext. Family, camaraderie, trust, second chances - these are all issues which are addressed during the film, and never in a way which beats you over the head with moralising. The film has heart, a quality all too often lacking.
The 3D could have added to this film: regrettably, it doesn't,
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and recommend it.