Despicable Me 2 Review

            Three years after the premiere of the heartwarming animated film “Despicable Me,” its sequel has finally arrived.  “Despicable Me 2” resurrects Gru, his three daughters and many minions, along with introducing new characters that are just as lovable as the former.  Anyone who loved the first film will like this one just as much, if not more. 

            Steve Carrell returns as Gru, the villain-turned-adoptive father of Margo, Edith and Agnes.  After settling into his new life taking care of his three daughters, Gru realizes something is missing; a mother for the girls.  Meanwhile, after swearing off evil doings to be the father he thinks his daughters need, Gru gets recruited by the Anti-Villain League to deal with a new criminal. 

When he meets Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), a member of the Anti-Villain League who becomes his partner, his world gets turned upside-down.  They work together to search for the evil-doer, and fall for each other along the way.  While at work on his new mission, Gru attempts to balance his daughters’ lives as they start to grow up more than before. 

            Accompanying Carrell and Wiig are the talents of Miranda Cosgrove, Ken Jeong, and Russell Brand.  For an animated film, the voice acting was stellar. 

 

            “Despicable Me 2” was just as good as the first one.  Its predecessor was hyped more than it deserved, and the same is the case for this one.  Both offer a predictable plot line.  The heart of a villain whose intentions are blurred between lines of good and evil is melted when he meets three girls looking for a father figure.  In “Despicable Me 2,” this time Gru is searching for a mother figure to assist him in raising the girls who mean the world to him.  In both films, there are happy endings. 

            Nothing less can be expected for a children’s movie.  There is not enough time in the hour-and-a-half picture for complicated plot twists.  

However, it is impossible to deny that this movie is cute.  “Despicable Me 2” is all about the little things.  The comedic aspects aimed at a young audience are sure to please.  However, those older will enjoy this movie as well.  Carrell’s accent and diction he uses as Gru never fails to make me laugh.  It’s all about the little things in this film.  Nuances ranging from the fart jokes to the conversations Gru has with his daughters are memorable and adorable. 

What really makes the film is the Minions.  Gru’s hundreds of assistants are little yellow creatures who help him with his day-to-day activities are beyond cute.  When I saw the first one, I immediately wanted to acquire at least ten of them.  The feeling still hasn’t faded.  In fact, it is even stronger now.  The little things they do in this film are sure to make anyone laugh.  Their babbling and the physical comedy they offer truly make this film worth seeing, if you were on the fence thus far. 

“Despicable Me 2” is your run-of-the-mill summer animated picture.  Light, heart-warming and funny, this film is a nice escape to brighten up a dreary summer afternoon.   Comparatively-speaking, this animated movie is one of the better ones out there to see nowadays.