They include Harrison Ford-surprisingly, in his first voice-acting role-lending his sardonic growl as the elder-statesman herding dog Rooster. This is just one of the stories “Pets 2” follows as Max, Duke, Liam and the grown-ups take a road trip to the country for a getaway-and ostensibly to introduce an entirely new variety of talking farm animals. Touchingly, though, Max evolves into a protector for young Liam (Henry Lynch) as he grows up and toddles off to pre-school – that is, until Max’s instincts turn neurotic and obsessive.

Suddenly, they must share with this tiny person all the love, attention and playtime they’d enjoyed exclusively.

And here’s one of the few emotionally truthful themes veteran Illumination director Chris Renaud, co-director Jonathan del Val and returning writer Brian Lynch explore: the complications that arise when a newborn arrives in the home, causing confusion for pets. Among the many returning neighbors of various species and breeds are Kevin Hart’s hopped-up bunny, Snowball, who now fancies himself a superhero puffy Pomeranian Gidget ( Jenny Slate, adorable as ever), who still secretly pines for Max and portly cat Chloe (the scene-stealing Lake Bell), who keeps everyone on their toes with her passive-aggressive antics.īut when Katie gets married and has a baby, Max’s life gets turned upside down. (whose career has declined in the wake of multiple masturbation allegations) as the voice of Max, a terrier mix living blissfully in New York City with his owner, Katie ( Ellie Kemper), and fellow rescue mutt, Duke ( Eric Stonestreet).

This time, the always-reliable Patton Oswalt takes over for Louis C.K. Eventually, the story lines meet up in the service of a banal message about bravery, but by then the strain has long since been apparent. It actually feels like the nuggets of ideas for three individual shorts, awkwardly stitched together and stretched out to feature length.

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