The Secret Life of Pets comes to theaters July 8, 2016
Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures presents The Secret Life of Pets, a comedy about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day! My family and I not only had an opportunity to preview the film, but I also interviewed cast members Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet and Lake Bell.
Take a Peek at the Trailer:
Lake Bell:
Lake Bell was full of energy and ready to speak about her role as Chloe the cat. She is a dog person at heart and talked to several friends that own cats about what the appeal is in owning a cat. The answer: they are complicated. She can relate to Chloe being complicated in many ways as Bell is a mom, writer, director and actor. (Now that’s complicated!) My favorite part of these interviews are when I get a glimpse of what the actor thinks about parenting. In Bell’s case she was passionate about being a mother and the struggles working mothers face. She touched on the guilt that most moms feel.
Bell: “I think that guilt is not helpful for you.
It’s not helpful for your children, and people around you. It’s like you have to kind of give yourself credit that it’s hard and that as long as you really mean well and you do your best and you’re true to yourself about the things that you need to do–like take care of yourself.”
As far as the films goes, Bell hopes that kids come away with a message about friendship and community. She is also a rescue pet owner and hopes that people can open up and talk to their children about how to be a responsible pet owner.
Eric Stonestreet:
Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet lends his voice to the adorable Duke. Duke is a rescued dog taken in by Max’s owner. Stonestreet is no stranger when it comes to animals. He grew up on a farm in Kansas and was surrounded by animals all of his life. Unfortunately, we learn that Stonestreet’s long-time pet dog Coleman had passed away this April. It had been hard on him losing his friend of 15 years. I asked Stonestreet about whether he had a chance to see an illustration of his character Duke and if that picture helped him voice the character.
Stonestreet:
“……….. Duke has looked the way he’s looked from the beginning, and I’m just lucky I got to blend the voice.
We messed around with what he would sound like in the beginning recording sessions. And since he is a Newfoundland mutt, we played with maybe a little north of the border accent up there, something.
But then, we decided a sort of heightened version of myself. I didn’t want make him like too New York. So, if you listen, when Duke gets angry a little of his New York comes out because he thinks that sounds tough.”
Stonestreet also concluded the interview with his wish that people go out and get rescue pets that they have room and time for them. He hopes to make room in his heart for a new dog in the Fall.
Kevin Hart:
That’s right! Kevin plays Snowball. Don’t be fooled by his cuteness, he’s really a villain planning a revolution! ( The bunny, not Kevin!) Snowball had been hurt by humans so he’s against them. Hart feels his character is justified in his feelings. Hart elevated the character by not only making him angry because he was hurt, but showed us that he was insecure as well. You still fall in love with this villain because you know he’s a bully because he was abandoned. I was impressed with Kevin Hart. He is driven and inspiring. When asked if being in an animation movie was on his bucket list he answered with this:
Hart: “Yes. There’s not a door that I’m not going to open. It’s just a question of when I’m going to open it. I think the beauty of entertainment and where I am at a high level of success, you control what you want to do.”
He’ll also be lending his voice to a new animation feature “Captain Underpants!” I can’t wait! Kevin Hart is a dog man and his dog is very protective of his children. He has several, but he claims to be the “alpha male”.
Get social with The Secret Life Of Pets:
Like ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ on Facebook
Follow on Twitter and Instagram
Use the hashtag #TheSecretLifeOfPets when sharing with your friends!
New PetMOJI App! Download and start the fun now!
Download the new PetMOJI app to create an emoji of your favorite furry friend! Currently available on iOS, the app features sticker packs and a custom keyboard.
Customize your own PetMOJI avatar by selecting a dog or a cat, then choosing features for your pet: a body, a snout, eyes, ears, and a tail – plus patches, patterns, and colors.
Available for iOS, Android coming soon.
Here is my cat Ritzy!
My family loved The Secret Life of Pets! Grab your family, your friends, and if you are going to the drive in- your pets too and go see it! July 8, 2016!
Disclosure: I was invited for a screening and interview by Universal Pictures. All thoughts belong to me and my family.
Amy Jones says
Looking forward to this movie!!! looks lovely
tara pittman says
My boys would love this movie. I would enjoy it too.
Elizabeth O. says
These are all awesome! I really can’t wait for the movie because I think it’s adorable and it’s a feel good film that’s perfect for the summer! I’m sure it was a great experience being able to interview these actors!
Melanie Smith says
I can’t wait for that movie! My son and I would love it!
Amanda Love says
It must have been amazing being able to interview these celebs! I really like Kevin Hart, his humor is just great. This movie is something I’ve been waiting for since I saw the trailer a few months ago!
Karlyn Cruz says
Wow, nice interview! My kids are waiting to see this movie.
Rebecca Bryant says
I am so excited for this movie. It is on my summer to watch list.
Rachel Mouton says
We just watched The Secret Life Of Pets last night in New Orleans. It was hilarious!
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
Omg I wanna see this movie! yay!
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
When I first saw this trailer, I said to myself that this is a must watch. I’ve seen the trailer several times and it has not failed to make me laugh out loud. You are so luck to have been able to interview the voice talents behind the cartoons. I’m sure it was a blast.
Farrah Less G. says
I do not have kids yet but I will surely watch this movie with my girlfriends who’s young at heart like me 🙂 The cat face so cute it reminds me of my neighbor cat who loves to hang out in our house. I can’t wait to see this in a big screen!
Enricoh Alfonzo says
had no idea about this movie but loved the trailer I so want to watch it now. hahaha creating your won avatar is mad fun I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks for enlightening me about this movie and awesome post on your amazing experience.
Azlin Bloor says
This sounds like something my kids are really going to enjoy, thanks for the review!
Ashley @irishred02 says
It looks like a cute movie. I bet our pets get into a lot of craziness when we aren’t around!
Lois Alter Mark says
Can’t wait to see this! It looks like such a cute movie – with a great cast!
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
This looks like it will be a cute movie! I want to take my son to see it.
Echo says
What a fun interview for you! My kids and I are so excited for this movie! I might even be a little more excited than they are!
Amanda says
This movie looks so cute. I love getting to interview the celebs. Its scary at first then they start talking and you realize how fun and down to earth they are.
Carol Bryant says
I am so excited. My family and I, of course with our beloved dog, are heading to the drive in to see this! Great interview and pics.
Nikki Jenner says
I love to see this movie! My family will surely like this, we love pets and we are so curious about it.
Agnes Dela Cruz says
I can see that this movie will be listed as one of our fave. The characters are way too cute and my daughter would be so delighted to see this
Rosey says
We became a pet owner on accident. We seek out ways to be good to our Cookie though, and he’s happy. We got lucky he was just a perfect family fit. Education on how to care for a pet is important though and I’d go that route if we got another kind of pet in the future.
Emily says
How fun! We have plans to take my kids to see this movie this weekend. They have been counting down the days to see this since we saw a preview of it last summer.
Kathy says
Great interview. You’re so lucky to have met them all! I’m a huge fan of Kevin, so I would have loved to meet him. I also can’t wait to see this movie. I’ve been waiting forever for it to come out!
Tatanisha W says
Wow, what a fun time!! My kids are looking forward to this one! !
Caroline Fernandez says
We are so excited to see this movie. The kids have been watching the trailer for it on repeat. We are going with a group of friends.
Yona Williams says
Ha! The trailer for the movie JUST came on TV. As an animal lover, I want to see this movie. I didn’t know Lake Bell had something to do with this.
Kathy Kenny Ngo says
I don’t care how old I am. But I WILL DEFINITELY WATCH THIS. I love pets as well and I wonder what they think about us. I guess this movie will give us the idea. Haha!
Marielle Altenor says
The trailer had me laughing so hard! My son saw the preview and told me about it. We might end up going to see it in theater.
Jenjen says
Seems to be such a fun and cute movie! Would love to see this 🙂
oana79 says
We watched this the other week, I found it funny but some parts a bit spooky for small children.