His presence here may be a gift to his own children, and to their college funds. K., on his television projects and in his stand-up, tends to work on the blue end of the spectrum, trafficking in melancholy as well as profanity. K., who plays the main character, a dog named Max. Children may not be all that familiar with many of them, including Louis C. “The Secret Life of Pets,” Illumination’s newest feature, relies on the more conventional sound of celebrity voices, mostly belonging to people who are professionally funny on television.

Part of the Minions’ ostensibly universal charm lies in the fact that they speak no known language, but rather a chirpy, vaguely Spanish-inflected patois. But in any case, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures are determined to keep selling toys and Halloween costumes, and it’s pointless to protest the merchandising of manufactured cuteness. Mine reached its end around 90 seconds before the movie did. You may regard this extra little cartoon as a bonus or a tax, depending on your level of Minion tolerance. First things first: “ The Secret Life of Pets” is preceded by a short film starring the Minions, in which those irrepressible yellow gelcaps take up landscaping so they can purchase a blender.

Secret life of pets movie posters