Once the begrudging Max succumbs to the toddler's adorable charms, the Jack Russell Terrier discovers his overly vigilant paternal side that quickly develops into an anxious fear. While Gidget infiltrates a dark, creepy cat haven to rescue a chew toy, Max (Patton Oswalt) and Duke (Eric Stonestreet) must cope with their growing family when their owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) marries Chuck (Pete Holmes) and the newlyweds have a child. These same filmmakers also apply their tightrope talents to an engaging story that juggles three subplots, which ultimately meet at the end for a satisfying conclusion. This careful balancing act of acceptability is ultimately what makes this sequel a surprisingly good follow-up from a talented crew who successfully entertains children as much as adults.

For parents, however, the gag hopefully flies over their heads but remains a silly innuendo for older viewers without overstaying its welcome.

When secretly tough Gidget (Jenny Slate) seeks Chloe's (Lake Bell) help in feline mannerisms, the obese tabby cat is caught in a catnip delirium while wearing a lampshade and grooving to Jefferson Airplane's 'White Rabbit.' For kids, the otherwise indifferent and apathetic furball acting the intoxicated fool is sure to leave them in stitches. It's clear the filmmakers are quite cautious of where the jokes and visuals could potentially stumble into more mature territory, be it for laughs or mild scares.

Picking up a few years after the events of the first movie, The Secret Life of Pets 2 carefully toes the line between adult humor and innocent, child-like zaniness.

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