THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS [2016]

Director Chris Renaud supplies the laughs and heart by the truckloads with the CGI animated comedy The Secret Life of Pets.
Two dogs (one big & one little) end up getting themselves lost in New York City which leads them into all sorts of trouble and adventures all in the span of a single day.
Like most Illumination Entertainment & Dreamworks animated films, it doesn't quite hold the same sort of depth or story subtleties of Pixar's output but it still manages to pack in the jokes, sometimes even better than the reigning CGI animation company.  It doesn't really ask a whole lot of the viewer other than to sit back and enjoy the ride, which is really easy to do considering the lovable characters we get to follow around for the jam-packed 90 minute running time.

3½ sewer-bunnies out of 5

DESPICABLE ME 2 [2013]

Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud return to direct the sequel to their 2010 animated hit Depsicable Me.
While this time it does lose a lot of it's humour in the conflict of the whole super villain story, it does manage to dazzle with it's inventive visuals and more than enough laughs for child and adult alike.  Steve Carell is hilarious as always and Kristen Wiig surprises with a wonderfully enthusiastic and inspired voice performance.
It's harmless, hilarious fun that doesn't offer a whole lot more.  However by the end of the film I can help but feel like I've received a Minions overdose, so it comes as no surprise as their's a Minions Movie coming in 2015.

3 angry chickens out of 5