Pet Secrets 2 – The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)

Directed by: Chris Renaud, Jonathan del Val | 86 minutes | animation, adventure | Dutch voice cast: Fedja van Huêt, Frank Lammers, Jandino Asporaat, Peggy Vrijens, Karin Bloemen, Georgina Verbaan, Erik van Muiswinkel, Roué Verveer, DJ Hardwell, Edsilia Rombley, Huub van der Lubbe, Chris Zegers, Mees Kingston, Nicolette Kluijver, Bas Smit, Nienke Plas, Dorian Bindels, Saar and Janna van de Zoete Zusjes | Original voice cast: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Harrison Ford, Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate, Tiffany Haddish, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress, Chris Renaud, Ellie Kemper, Pete Holmes, Henry Lynch, Nick Kroll, Sean Giambrone , Meredith Salenger, Michael Beattie, Kiely Renaud

What do our pets actually do when we are out the door? With this brilliant idea as a starting point, Illumination Entertainment – ​​the studio behind the successful ‘Despicable Me’ series – made the animated film ‘Pet Secrets’ (‘The Secret Life of Pets’) in 2016. The film did very well in the cinemas and collected the necessary extra income with all kinds of merchandise, because the funny or cute dogs, cats and rabbits in whose private lives we were allowed to peek lent themselves perfectly to this. A sequel was announced less than two months after the release of ‘Pet Secrets’. Director Chris Renaud, who (co)directed the first two ‘Despicable Me’ films, and screenwriter Brian Lynch (known for ‘Puss in Boots’ (2011) and ‘Minions’ (2015)) enjoyed repeating and the entire cast was also re-signed for a role in ‘Pet Secrets 2’ (‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’) (2019). But at the end of 2017 there was a hitch. Comedian Louis CK, who voiced Jack Russell terrier Max in the first film, was discredited when five women accused him of sexual misconduct. The comedian eventually went to the dust and admitted that he had misbehaved. Exit Louis CK In his place, Patton Oswald was asked to voice Max in the sequel. Other new names in the cast include Tiffany Haddish, Harrison Ford (in his first animated film ever!) and Nick Kroll.

Once children enter a household, the petting of pets is over. Max (Patton Oswald/Fedja van Huêt in the Dutch version) has that specter in any case. It is therefore very difficult for him that his owner (Ellie Kemper/Georgina Verbaan) has met a man who will move in with them in no time. And then suddenly there is a baby! Although Max and his gigantic buddy Duke (Eric Stonestreet/Frank Lammers) indeed have to share the attention with little Liam from now on, there really isn’t a man – or pup – overboard. And the older Liam gets, the closer the bond gets between him and Max. In fact, the necessary father feelings are stirred up in Max, because he wants to protect the little boy at all costs from the evil outside world and goes so far as to suffer from it. On veterinary advice, Max can relieve his stress with a relaxing trip and so the family moves to the countryside. There, Max and Duke meet the wise shepherd dog Rooster (Harrison Ford/Huub van der Lubbe), from whom they learn the necessary life lessons.

While Max is on ‘vacation’, the fluffy, snow-white Pomeranian Gidget (Jenny Slate/Peggy Vrijens) looks after his beloved ball. However, she accidentally loses it and the ball ends up in the home of a genuine cat lady, where up to a hundred cats live. Gidget decides to take ‘cat class’ with Chloe (Lake Bell/Karin Bloemen), the fat and sluggish tabby cat who teaches her the intricacies of the ‘trade’, although it doesn’t go well. Snowball (Kevin Hart/Jandino Asporaat), the white rabbit who leads a double life (as soon as his owner is out the door, he changes from a cuddly stuffed animal to a foul-mouthed fighting jacket) meanwhile believes he has superpowers and puts on his superhero suit whenever possible . When feisty shitzu Daisy (Tiffany Haddish/Edsilia Rombley) asks him for help, he smells his chance to prove himself a hero. Together they decide to rescue Hu, a Siberian tiger whom Daisy met in the cargo hold of an airplane and who is in trouble. However, they still have to deal with the mean circus boss Sergei (Nick Kroll/Chris Zegers).

By intertwining three storylines, it still seems something. Screenwriter Brian Lynch must have thought so. And it must be said that there is enough to see for the youngest generation to keep watching. But the colorful procession of characters, colorful settings and the high tempo cannot hide the fact that the scenario actually has very little to offer. Part 1 was also not necessarily known for its depth and in this sequel there is even less character development and emotional deepening. ‘Pet Secrets 2’ has to rely on its jokes and there are plenty, although the joke density is not as high as in its predecessor. Once again it is the wonderfully headstrong cat Chloe who steals the show, although she is too little in the picture; give her her own movie! The new characters are decent but don’t really make a compelling impression. Snowball, the hyperactive rabbit who wants to prove himself if necessary, is downright annoying. He only gets on the viewer’s nerves. For (small) children who love dogs and cats and can appreciate a good joke, ‘Pet Secrets 2’ is a safe choice: they will have fun with the new adventures of Max, Gidget and their friends. More experienced viewers will come to the conclusion that the makers of this film got rid of it very easily.