TheReviewMonk
The Secret Life of Pets backdrop
6 July 2016English91 min

The Secret Life of Pets

5.813 reviews
CriticsMixed

Bayesian avg · 13 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

7.01 ratings
Users

User Score · avg of 1 ratings

8.0+ Exceptional · 7.0 Recommended · 5.5 Mixed

The action comedy is set in a Manhattan apartment building. After the two-legged residents head for work and school, their pets gather to start their day, which consists of hanging out, trading humiliating stories about their owners, and helping each other work up adorable looks that will lead to more snacks. The head hound is a quick-witted terrier rescue (Louis C.K.), whose position at the epicenter of his master's universe is suddenly threatened when she comes home with Duke (Stonestreet), a sloppy mongrel with no polish. The two soon find themselves on the mean streets of New York, where they meet the adorable white bunny Snowball (Hart). It turns out that Snowball is the leader of an army of pets that were abandoned and are determined to get back at humanity and every owner-loving pet. The dogs must thwart this plot and make it back in time for dinner.

Critic Consensus

The Secret Life of Pets receives a broadly positive but measured reception from Indian critics, with most placing it in the range of harmless, enjoyable entertainment suited to families and pet lovers. The film's humor and visual execution are most frequently highlighted, with several critics noting it delivers consistent laughs and polished animation. The most common criticism is that the story is derivative and unoriginal, with a thin, predictable plot that does not linger in the memory. A minority of reviewers found it lacking in depth or genuine zaniness compared to similar animated features.

13 reviews · 8 positive · 1 negative

Praised: Consistent humor and visualsCriticised: Thin, unoriginal story

AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

Critic Reviews (13)

Shalini LangerTop Critic· Indian Express
3.0
"The film ends up being about two hostile animals in mortal peril till they literally come out swimming."
Read full review ↗
Bryan Durham· DNA India
7.0
"TSLOP makes for a great evening out with friends and children. It is a rather straightforward tale about pets, the importance of friendship and being there for one another when it matters most. And that while there are bad humans (think: the Chennai medical college students) here's a reminder that there are good, kind ones, too. And it doesn't hurt, that it's rather funny, too."
Read full review ↗
Aleesha Matharu· CatchNews
7.0
"So even though none of this is wholly original, I laughed all the way through The Secret Life of Pets - even at jokes that were really dumb or obvious or broad, because they were so expertly written and delivered. This is a kid's movie through and through - but for anyone who has loved some furry creature or the other, you'll absolutely love this one."
Read full review ↗
Reagan Gavin Rasquinha· Times Of India
7.0
"It wouldn't take much of a stretch of imagination to think that the filmmakers themselves love animals. All in all, Pets comes across as a breath of fresh air in the world of animated films."
Read full review ↗
IANS· TheStatesman
6.0
"Visually the 3D effects and the computer generated animated images are marvellous. The animals are perfectly anthropomorphized. And the engaging voices of the ace-star cast resonate with the right blend of emotions. The Secret Life of Pets is an attractive film that would appeal to pet lovers."
Read full review ↗
Rashid Irani· Hindustan Times
6.0
"All seen and savoured, Secret Life of Pets makes for an ideal rainy-day matinée."
Read full review ↗
Anuj Malhotra· Deccan Chronicle
6.0
"The greatest accomplishment of the film — as of say, a Baby's Day Out — is their assimilation of the diverse landscapes of the city itself."
Read full review ↗
Sudhir Srinivasan· The Hindu
6.0
"The Secret Life of Pets won't stay with you for long, but while you're watching it, it's impossible to ignore."
Read full review ↗
Johnson Thomas· Mid-Day
6.0
"The film has a brisk pace, but the story is pretty much well-trodden and playing to type. Also the plotline goes beserk trying to invent an adventure that might not seem all that plausible or affecting. If you are a dog lover, you will love this all the way through. If you are a pet lover (and I mean a generic one) you will find this a harmless entertainer but if you hate pets or are allergic to them, then you might not be wholeheartedly impressed by their shenanigans on screen. And that's the way this cookie crumbles."
Read full review ↗
Rachit Gupta· Filmfare
"Well-made, well thought out and slickly executed, The Secret Life Of Pets is one of the funniest animated movies in recent years. Pet lovers especially will enjoy this kooky concoction of cute and sass."
Read full review ↗
"Kinetic at times, colourful and with scattered humour, The Secret Life Of Pets is a treat for children, but offers no great insights into the secret life of pets."
Read full review ↗
Nandini Ramnath· Scroll.in
"The Secret Life of Pets is beautifully realised but often misses the zaniness of Despicable Me and Minions (which was co-directed by Renaud and Pierre Coffin). The dialogue is less funny than the antics of the scatterbrain animals and birds."
Read full review ↗
BookMyShow Team· BookMyShow
"You certainly won't look at your pets the same way again! The tagline says it all: 'Ever wonder what your pets do when you're not home?' Guess we'll never really know…"
Read full review ↗

Cast & Crew

Details

Release Date
6 July 2016
Runtime
91 min
Language
English

User Ratings & Reviews

Users7.01 rating

1 rating from the community

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.