272. The Secret Life Of Pets 2; movie review

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2
Cert U
86 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild threat, violence, very mild bad language

It is high time that I caught up with some of UK cinema's 2019 box office hits despite my lack of enthusiasm stemming from so many of them being follow-ups or remakes.
It is doubtlessly the most unimaginative set of movies since the everyfilm challenge began in 2011.
But the law of averages states that, soon or later, I was bound to alight upon a sequel which was better than the original - and here it is.
The Secret Life Of Pets left me a bit flat back in 2016 - this has more spark and a funkier soundtrack.
It also resonated more because central to the plot is a small child.
It centres on Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt), a Jack Russell Terrier who worries rather more than is good for him.
Thus, when his owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) gets married and has a baby, his anxieties are transferred to the child.
However, the more he and his pal, Duke (Eric Stonestreet) see themselves as his protector, the more scrapes they get into.
Chris Renaud's movie has three storylines firing off the central premise of talking pets living in the same New York apartment block.
Firstly, Max and his family go off to the countryside where they meet a classic alpha male dog (Harrison Ford).
Meanwhile, a rabbit (Kevin Hart) who thinks he is superman is cajoled into trying to rescue a white tiger who is suffering cruelty in a circus.
And then there is Gidget (Jenny Slate), the posh dog, who has to rescue Max's favourite toy from the home of an old lady who keeps dozens of feral cats.
Each theme is punctuated by comedy, action chases and humour which will appeal to both adults and children.
The Secret Life Of Pets 2 was poignant because we watched it with our 19-year-old cat to whom we had to say goodbye a few days later. I love to think of him asking neighbourhood friends around our house while we were out.

Reasons to watch: Great family fun
Reasons to avoid: Another sequel

Laughs: Two and a few chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? This is Harrison Ford's first appearance in an animated film. Proof you can teach an old dog new tricks!

The final word. Harrison Ford: “I asked them if they wanted me to do a dog voice and they said, ‘We’d prefer you to actually just use your own voice.’ I was surprised by that. I thought, ‘This is too easy.’ ”"USA Today

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