87 minutes, Animated Family Comedy
Arriving in time for the September school holidays is this endearing family film which is accessible for all ages. A big hit in the US, where it has become the first film that is not a sequel or based on previously published material that’s earned over $100 million in its opening week, its success extends worldwide after becoming the highest grossing, non-Disney animated film in box office history. Success that is now guaranteed to be replicated in Australia. Max (voiced by Louis C.K) is a Jack Russell Terrier that’s loving his life being the sole companion to his owner, Katie (voiced by Ellie Kemper). When Katie returns home one day with a much larger, shaggy mongrel named Duke (voiced by Eric Stonestreet), the two canine’s compete for territory and Katie’s attention.
This undeniably cute and more than likeable family film first introduces a premise that adult viewers would eventually find tedious if occupying the entire film length. Fortunately, the writers behind THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS (most of whom also penned the DESPICABLE ME films) are ostensibly onto this fact and take their all-ages crowd on a fun-filled journey beyond the New York City apartment it is set. It is throughout this off-the-leash odyssey that our canine companions meet the character that completely steals the limelight – Snowball, a bunny rabbit, dynamically voiced by Kevin Hart. This production is a very vibrant one that contains occasional referential humour and short & simple yet meaningful messages, which adult viewers will identify and appreciate.
3 out of 5
Moviedoc 
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