Pakistan, June 7 -- Sad to say, the bloom is off the rose. The first 'The Secret Life of Pets' in 2016 was an animated fluff-ball that hit on a fresh premise: What do our pets do when we close the door and leave them behind? The sequel covers pretty much the same territory. The big difference being that the critters leave New York City for a trip to the farm. Their instinct for mischief stays the same, yet you feel the pall of repetition. Not enough to completely spoil the party, but you get the idea.

Our star is still the intrepid Max, the Jack Russell terrier voiced with just the right mix of humour and neurosis by Patton Oswalt. Hold on. Didn't Louis CK do the voice of Max in the original? He did. But accusations of sexual misconduct,...