The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

"From the first teaser trailer, you knew Illumination Studios (Despicable Me) had school holiday gold on its hands with The Secret Life of Pets. The full film has plenty more rock-solid gags, more than enough to give anyone of any age the jollies. It looks gorgeous too – in 2D AND 3D – with plush-toy-worthy animal designs and a pristine art direction that makes New York look cleaner, happier, and more colourful than it probably deserves."

"The formula may be familiar, but the personalities are completely fresh, yielding a menagerie of loveable - if downright ugly - cartoon critters banding together to help these two incompatible roommates from ending up on the streets."

"Some funny-sweet observations about pets and our projections on to them."

"The animated action is bouncy and frenetic, and if the story becomes a little too busy, it moves quickly and makes room for a barrage of jokes and even some character development."

"It's not ground-breaking, but there are laughs, and it is a good audience movie."

"Bright, breezy and beautifully animated..."

"An – at times – intoxicatingly enjoyable hour-and-a-half. Go have a look. Kids optional."

"Cute and funny but lacks originality."

"A glorified hairball pulled together from the strands of better, more appealing movies and then noisily coughed up and disgorged at a multiplex near you."

"A film that starts off impressively but gradually tires itself out with a loud and loopy caper plot, taking a clever idea to mostly familiar places in the long run."

"An affable adventure with a strong voice cast. What it lacks in originality, it claws back with strong visual gags and a witty script."