The Secret Life of Pets

SUMMARY:

   A pampered terrier named Max has the time of his life while his owner Katie is gone for work. He hangs out in their New York apartment and plays with the other pets in his building, but his life is upturned when Katie decides to adopt another dog. This new menace is a huge brown rambunctious dog, fitly named Duke who quickly earns Katie’s attention. Max feels forgotten in the shadows and quickly becomes jealous. One day while Max and Duke are on a walk exploring the city they get mistaken for strays and find themselves on the way to the pound. Fortunately, a defiant bunny named Snowball comes to the dogs’ aid and asks them to join his gang of abandoned pets. This rough gang of animals is striving to seek justice from the humans that have wronged them and they want Max and Duke to help them. Max and Duke are in for the ride of their lives as they decide whether to join Snowball’s gang or find their way back to their beloved Katie.

LANGUAGE AND HUMOR:
   The language in this movie may be a little inappropriate for children 6 and younger. There are crude insults such as “stupid,” “cry baby,” “idiots,” “weirdo,” etc. and one use of “holy schnitzel.” The good and evil animals confront each other with barking, hissing, yelling and growling, and there are also mentions of killing the humans that have mistreated them. Crude humor is used as dogs sniff each other’s rear ends, and a chihuahua pees on the floor out of fright.

THEMATIC ELEMENTS:

   The misleading trailers for The Secret Life of Pets shows the pets’ easy going lives while their owners are away, but in the actual movie there are many climactic scenes. Multiple chases on foot and in vehicles are included that end in crashes and fire. The animals also run from dog catchers and at one point it looks as if the main character, Max, may die. Explorations through damp sewers and confrontations with very scary predatory animals are also common throughout the movie. 

LESSONS:

   Despite the crude humor and thematic elements the underlying morals of this movie are very strong. Max and Duke’s relationship builds and strengthens throughout the movie which can help a child that struggles with sibling rivalry or with a splitting family. The ideas of making new friendships and being open to life adventures are also promoted throughout.

RECOMMENDATION:

   Exciting, humorous, and thrilling, the Secret Life of Pets is great for more mature children. Although the age and disposition of the specific child should be considered in deciding whether to watch this movie or not, it is very engaging and worth the time.

(451 words)