DVD Review: The Secret World of Pets 2

The Secret Lives of Pets 2 (Illumination/Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2019, PG, 1 hour 26 minutes). On 4K, Blu-Ray, Digital, and DVD.

First of all, a question for you: can you really enjoy a Movie, Part Two, without having seen the Movie, Part One?

And the answer is a resounding, Yes!

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is full to the brim of things to watch and learn and do, but, On with the story. Or, rather, three stories. Three interweaving stories make Pets 2 a movie you will want to watch more than once. You’ll have to!

The Stars

You will fall in love with Duke big bear of a dog,

-with Max (the Jack Russell Terrier (PRT) perhaps who is a bit of a neurotic worrywart);

-with Captain Snowball, caped crusader (Mollie’s bunnyrabbit with his partners Paw and Order);

-with Gidget who learns to be a cat (watch a preview of Cat Lessons) (the Bichon perhaps, in love with Max – Max asks her to look after BusyBee, his favorite toy, and so begins one of our three adventures and ends with a new tiger kitty for the cat lady [doesn’t every apartment building in New York City have a resident cat lady?]);

-with Daisy (an adorable little brown and white Shih Tzu, a new character with a southern accent who turns the tables on Captain Snowball);

-with Sergei the Bad Guy who looks like the Wicked Witch of the East – or, on the other hand, maybe you won’t fall in love with him;

-with Pops who teaches Puppy School and has back wheels for legs;

-or with my personal favorite, Rooster (not “Chicken”!)(a big big cool border collie voiced by Harrison Ford but reminiscent of The Fonz).

The Plot Thickens

Max and Duke live with Katie. Max is not a kid-person. Then Chuck meets Katie. Then Chuck marries Katie. Then along comes little Liam who sleeps most of the time. But then, he learns to speak so Max and Duke have to be a good influence, teach Liam to walk and stay out of danger! And keeping Liam safe is a full-time job for Max.

Max, our resident worrywart, starts to scratch as a means of coping with his newly-found responsibilities and becomes fearful of storms so he is taken to the vet – the veterinary behaviorist - and comes out in a cone.

And then the three stories begin with a train and a circus and a car ride! To the farm, to the farm, to the farm – oh, boy!

The Characters Grow

Watch Daisy reach deep down inside to find the courage to save the day and become her own superhero. Watch the farm work its wonders on Max. Love how the tiger cub finds a home – and with whom. Experience the bond between the pets, and between the pets and their peeps (people). Even Max becomes more lovable, and relaxed. Live the emotional lives of pets - yours, included.

Get Your own Pet!

Look around. You can find Pets wallpaper, Pets stuffies - you can carry pets (backpacks), you can even sleep with Max (bedspreads).

Bonus

Try your hand at drawing Max, Snowball and Chloe! Lessons included. Free.

Watch a couple of music videos.

Have a Ball! Or, a Party!

Have a ball making Captain Snowball’s super hero cape, Pop’s pupsicles, dog treats (recipe included for Duke’s doggy donuts), Daisy’s happy party hats (ditto), and Gidget’s goody bags.

The digital and Blu-ray versions have a documentary on Dogs with Jobs (a service dog and a police dog, as well as a therapy pony) plus a session on feline massage (for cats) and shows you how to tell if an animal is stressed.

Dog Training?

Kids will love this short segment but if you are a dog trainer, you might just want to skip it: Kevin Hart does everything wrong!

And, Now, . . . .

Excuse us as we go to watch The Secret Lives of Pets 1!