THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 – Review

As most of the schools finally free the tots and teens for Summer break, it’s time to hop aboard the rickety rollercoaster that is the 2019 slate of animated feature films. To paraphrase ALL ABOUT EVE’s Margo Lane, “It’s a bumpy ride”. We started with the “better than expected’ modest thrills of the last of the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy. But sequels were not a sure bet as the Lego follow-up took a dive, quickly joined by the forgettable WONDER PARK and UGLY DOLLS. Laika’s MISSING LINK was an inventive ray of sunshine, but like most of their releases tepid box office kept the critical darling from soaring. Now comes another sequel as the folks at Universal’s animation off-shoot Illumination hope to have another franchise aside from Gru and the Minions (and the Seuss flicks like THE LORAX and last year’s Grinch). They had a modest success three years ago with the adventures of domesticated animals when the owners are out (kind of like when Andy’s away from his toys). Can box office lightning strike again as we rejoin those cute critters in the rather uninspired (talking about the title…why not a “wrath of…” or a “revenge of…, sheesh maybe a “…go number two”) named follow-up THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2.

We’re back in the Big Apple which looks as shiny and ripe as 2016, as the new flick begins. Lil’ terrier mix mutt Max (voice of Patton Oswalt) is mellow as part of human owner Katie’s (Elle Kemper) home along with the much longer, shaggier Duke (Eric Stonestreet). Then life throws him a curve when she meets Chuck (Pete Holmes) and soon the old cycle begins: first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes sweet lil’ Liam in a baby carriage. Max, who used to scoff at fellow pooches with kids, now is smitten with the tyke. After Max develops an itching tic (caused mainly by Liam going to preschool), the vet fits him with a big plastic “collar-cone”. The mood is lightened when Chuck decides they should drive out to the country for a visit to his uncle’s farm. But before they depart Max entrusts his beloved “squeaky toy” bumblebee to the jittery, still infatuated with him Gidget (Jenny Slate). Of course, she loses it as soon as he leaves, as it bounces through the open window of a cat-loving elderly lady. But she’s gotta’ get it back…somehow? Meanwhile, on another floor, the now domesticated pet rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart) enjoys the superhero suit his owner fits over his fur. So much so that he adopts an “alter ego’, Captain Snowball. Still, he’s stunned when a fiesty flirty pup named Daisy (Tiffany Haddish) arrives with a mission for the masked, caped crusader. While in the cargo hold of an airplane, she became friends with a lonely Chinese white tiger cub named Hu. When she sees him being mistreated by his circus owner, “Happy” Sergei (Nick Kroll), Daisy is determined to rescue him but needs the help of CS. But how’s Max and Duke doing in the country? Despite all the odd noises and wildlife, they get used to sleeping outdoors. But then they have to deal with the farm’s tough “work” dog, Rooster (Harrison Ford) who has little use for Max’s fears and phobias. Will they ever become friends? And more importantly, will these three plots ever converge for a big finale’?

The voice cast slips back into their old characters pretty effortlessly, though there are a couple of new additions and one major change. The original voice of Max was another stand-up comic who has fallen from grace (not “family friendly” any longer, to say the least), so Mr. Oswalt lends his unique vocal styling to the lead role. Unfortunately, he just kept reminding me of his performance in the vastly superior RATATOUILLE a dozen years ago (wow!). Slate brings lots of energy to the often one-note, too manic Gidget. As with the last film I find Mr. Hart much more endearing as a fluffy powderpuff-like bunny, than his work in any live-action flick (perhaps there’s less mugging as a ‘toon). Plus, he’s got a great partner in newcomer Haddish as Daisy the dog. Though the two worked together in last year’s so-so comedy NIGHT SCHOOL, their chemistry is more potent here. Back to the vets, Dana Carvey scores lots of laughs once again as the cantankerous ole’ hound dog Pops (think of a furrier, cuddlier Walter Brennan). Would love to see him in a short, perhaps mentoring the same puppies (and one kitty). Speaking of cantankerous, the new flick’s most inspired and endearing addition might be Ford as a canine take-off on most of his more recent roles. Somehow it sounds like he’s having a great time of it (well, the often surly TV guest is making the press rounds for the flick). That gruff, no BS charm shines through his cartoon persona, making us hope for a spin-off, or a more prominent role in the next one (perhaps he and his owner uncle could vacation in the city, or relocate).

As enjoyable as Ford and the actors are, the film, like its predecessor is largely forgettable. Its main problem is the odd story structure, jumping from the three plots at random (A story to C, then B, then C, then A…) often derailing any momentum started on each tale (Max is facing a fox and…we’re back with the “cat lady”). The main villain seems to have wandered in from a Gru gathering (Sergei’s a stretched-out Boris Badenov), and after this year’s DUMBO remake debacle, can the whole “sinister circus” trope be retired? Though this clocks in at under 90 minutes, the erratic pacing makes us ponder the weird “rules” for this world. Why do some animals talk while others growl and squeak (sure Daisy says she can’t understand Hu’s “wild” patter, but Lil’ Sergei the “hench-monkey” wears a derby for gosh sakes)? The bigger question involves timespan. Max is around long enough to see his owner fall in love, marry, have a baby, then send the child to Pre-K, so how long do these pets live, since Max shows no sounds of slowing down? How the mind wonders. Anywho, the smallest of moviegoers may enjoy the bright colors (NYC is practically candy-coated) and the wild slapstick. I favored Snowball’s 2-D cell-style animated daydream as a buff, ripped “hare of steel” (some of the iconic John Williams 1978 Superman fanfare is thrown into the mostly random pop tune-filled soundtrack). But if you can’t hold out until the return of Pixar’s dream team (speaking of pop tunes, “The Toys are Back in Town”…soon), THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 is a sweet, simple, somewhat formulaic frantic fantasy.

3 🐾🐾🐾 Out of 5