The Secret Life of Pets 2
(from left) Duke (Eric Stonestreet), Max (Patton Oswalt) and Rooster (Harrison Ford) in Illumination's "The Secret Life of Pets 2," directed by Chris Renaud.
The sequel strategy in The Secret Life of Pets 2 is typical — adding characters and subplots to a familiar formula and seeing what sticks. But so are the pitfalls, as the film struggles to find a compelling narrative angle for characters who are no longer fresh or original.
As with its predecessor, this continuation of the amusing 2016 animated comedy caters to animal aficionados young and old, except it’s not as cute and cuddly in its depiction of anthropomorphic critters who party when humans aren’t around.
We pick up the action with Jack Russell terrier Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt) and mutt Duke (Eric Stonestreet) shifting their priorities toward nurturing the young son (Henry Lynch) of their doting owner (Ellie Kemper). That bond is tested during a trip to the family farm, where other animals get in the way.
The script also tracks two parallel storylines closer to their home in the city. Hyperactive bunny Snowball (Kevin Hart) joins a stray pooch (Tiffany Haddish) in a quest to rescue a white tiger from an abusive circus owner (Nick Kroll). And a plump cat (Lake Bell) schemes with a Pomeranian (Jenny Slate) to gain access to a pampering cat lady’s apartment.
Returning from the first film, director Chris Renaud (Despicable Me) recaptures the quirky charm in conveying animal behavior, and the ways in which pets relish the small pleasures in their daily routines, from car rides to naps. The movie playfully taps into the fickle nature of relationships between kids and pets, and their mutual love for mischief.
As the story predictably ventures into fish-out-of-water territory, it fires a steady stream of sight gags and one-liners that hit the mark with less regularity this time around, while building to a chaotic finale driven by interspecies loyalty and camaraderie.
Among the recognizable voices, Harrison Ford provides some highlights as a crusty farm dog who becomes a tough-love mentor for Max. However, the superhero subplot feels labored despite the energetic banter of Hart and Haddish.
The sitcom-style structure and tempo of the screenplay suggest that while The Secret Life of Pets 2 stumbles in its first attempt to transition its amusing premise into a sustainable franchise, it might be a long-term fit on the small screen. On its own, this fluffy follow-up is all bark and no bite.
Rated PG, 86 minutes.