Fables and comedy are often the best tools when it comes to raising social issues, and Illumination Entertainment knows just how to combine the two in The Secret Life of Pets.

The movie starts off with a simple question: Do pet owners really know what their animals do when they are home alone?

Typically, dog owners assume that their dogs love them so much that when they get home after work, they will be greeted with sparkling dog eyes, wagging tails and kisses. Cats are perceived as bossy pets that do not care one bit about their owners or their surroundings, as long as they are well-fed. Even though each pet is unique, we, as humans, have our own stereotypes about them.

But are our assumptions always spot on? Could it be that those pets actually have more exciting experiences than we could ever imagine? These are the questions that The Secret Life of Pets tries to answer.

Given that simple premise, plus the fact that The Secret Life of Pets is a 3D computer-animated comedy film for kids, people would expect the movie to feature a lot of comical moments based on the common stereotypes about pets.

The Secret Life of Pets does come with many hilarious scenes, but there is something more to the film than just having a good time watching our furry and cute companions do crazy and silly things.

The hood: In The Secret Life of Pets, domesticated animals of all types share bonds just like their human owners.

Set in contemporary New York, The Secret Life of Pets also talks about social issues that adults will find relatable. Narratives about gentrification, refugees and social class privilege are scattered throughout the film, yet they are presented in a child-friendly way, notwithstanding some scenes of mild violence and even death.

The protagonist is a dog named Max (Louis CK), who is having the time of his life with his owner, Katie (Ellie Kemper).

Katie adopted Max as a puppy, and they live happily in Katie’s small yet hip apartment. Near the apartment are Max’ pet neighbors and friends, which include the fluffy, soap opera-watching pomeranian Gidget (Jenny Slate), the hyperactive pug Mel (Bobby Moynihan), a dachshund named Buddy (Hannibal Buress) and fat cat Chloe (Lake Bell).

With a good home, a loving owner and great friends, Max is living the dream of a stray dog and thinks he and Katie are inseparable.

One night, however, Katie brings home a new stray dog, Duke (Eric Stonestreet); the arrival of the refugee turns Max’s world upside down.

The rivalry between Max and Duke leads to them being separated from their pack during a walk with a dog walker. Being lost, Max and Duke find themselves in trouble as they are surrounded by evil stray cats, which take away their name tags. Afterward, they are almost caught by a pest control worker.

The pest control worker tries to take Max and Duke to the animal compound, where most of the ownerless stray dogs are put down, but they are rescued by a fluffy, cute yet deranged bunny Snowball (Kevin Hart), who leads a gang of formerly domesticated animals chased away by their owners.

The interaction between Max and Duke on one side and Snowball and his gang on the other reminds us of a dynamic representation of social conditions. Max and Duke represent the pets that love humans who take care of them and therefore are happy to follow orders and rules.

On the other hand, Snowball and his gang are rebellious animals that feel angry after being rejected for petty reasons. This collective of enraged animals then plans nothing less than a revolution.

 “Liberated forever, domesticated never,” Snowball said as his group’s official war cry against the humans.

The Secret Live of Pets may not be on par with Walt Disney’s Zootopia in terms of special effects, animation and musical themes, but as for storytelling and script, this animated fable from Illumination Entertainment reaches the same quality.

Us against the world: For Max the dog, his owner Katie is his whole world and nothing can separate them.

While Zootopia discusses issues of racism and prejudice, The Secret Live of Pets complements this with its discussions on social class and xenophobia.

The script in The Secret Life of Pets feels more mature than Zootopia, as it also includes smart banter filled with social criticism. Kudos to the actors for making the pets and their stories relatable and believable. The highest credits, however, go to Hart, who brings to life the character of Snowball.

For adults, The Secret Life of Pets is a refreshing look on society. It discusses serious matters, but with an addition of cuteness and adorableness that we do not have to frown our eyes to get the message. For children, The Secret Life of Pets is a great animation that will introduce and prepare them for the hard facts of life and society without being extravagantly preachy.

— Photos courtesy of Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures

______________________________

The Secret Life of Pets

Director: Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney
Cast: Louis CK, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart
Running time: 90 minutes