Did you love The Secret Life of Pets as much as my kids and I did? The Secret Life of Pets 2 just arrived in theaters this weekend and I’ve been itching to tell you about it! PS – amazon affiliate links are used within this post.
My kids and I were invited to a screening earlier this week, and although our tickets were complimentary, all thoughts are my own.
Note: this is a spoiler-free review! Read on without worrying!
About The Secret Life of Pets 2
Illumination’s tenth feature, The Secret Life of Pets 2, is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2016 comedic blockbuster that had the biggest opening weekend ever for an original film, animated or otherwise.
Packed with Illumination’s signature irreverence and subversive humor, this new chapter explores the emotional lives of our pets, the deep bond between them and the families that love them, and answers the question that has long intrigued every pet owner: What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?
Terrier Max (Patton Oswalt) is coping with some major life changes. His owner (Ellie Kemper) is now married and has a toddler, Liam. Max is so worried about protecting the boy that he develops a nervous tic. On a family trip to a farm, Max and mutt Duke (Eric Stonestreet) encounter canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a terrifying turkey, all of which only elevates Max’s anxiety. Luckily, Max gets some guidance from veteran farm dog Rooster (Harrison Ford, making his animated-film debut), who pushes Max to ditch his neuroses, find his inner alpha, and give Liam a little more freedom.
Meanwhile, while her owner is away, plucky Pomeranian Gidget (Jenny Slate) tries to rescue Max’s favorite toy from a cat-packed apartment with a little help from her feline friend, Chloe (Lake Bell), who has discovered the joys of catnip.
(from left) Chloe (Lake Bell) and her owner in Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets 2, directed by Chris Renaud.
And crazy-but-cute bunny Snowball (Kevin Hart) gets delusions of grandeur that he’s an actual superhero after his owner Molly starts dressing him in superhero pajamas. But when Daisy (Tiffany Haddish), a fearless Shih Tzu, shows up to ask for Snowball’s help on a dangerous mission, he’ll have to summon the courage to become the hero he’s only been pretending to be.
Can Max, Snowball, Gidget and the rest of the gang find the inner courage to face their biggest fears?
The Secret Life of Pets 2 is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy, the visionary team behind Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and the Despicable Me and Minions franchise, and is written by returning Pets screenwriter Brian Lynch. The film is directed by returning filmmaker Chris Renaud, who also directed Illumination’s Despicable Me series and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.
My family’s thoughts on Secret Life of Pets 2
I’m not sure if it was the fact that we now have a dog AND a cat at home or if the movie was JUST THAT GOOD, but either way, we all thought that The Secret Life of Pets 2 was better than the first, and that’s saying a lot. I have to say that so many of the dog and cat stereotypes that they play on in the movie are SPOT ON. We were laughing the entire movie!
Our theater was completely full of kids of all ages, parents, and adults without kids (we couldn’t even sit together because the theater was that packed!). I loved hearing laughter from ALL of them, which told me that it’s a fantastic movie for all ages. Even though my kids are older now (14 and up) I still love finding family-friendly movies that everyone – from toddlers to teenagers to old folks like myself – can enjoy together.
And although my family’s experience was certainly enhanced by the last 2 years of having pets share our living space, this is still a funny movie regardless of your pet status. I absolutely adored the interaction of the pets with their new family member (toddler/preschooler Liam) and I like to imagine that our pets feel the same way about our kids.
I give this an “everyone should see it” stamp of approval, although it’s definitely one that would be fine to wait to see on DVD if you can’t make it out to the theater. But if you’re like me and LOVE to find indoor activities for the kids now that the weather is heating up, then schedule to see a matinee and don’t forget the popcorn.
Get Tickets Now
Tickets are available MEOW. Don’t miss #TheSecretLifeOfPets2 in theaters Friday: fandango.com/pets2
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 – In Theaters NOW
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