Movie Review: Despicable Me

Despicable Me – A Universal Pictures’ Release

http://www.despicable.me/

Release Date: July 9th

Rated PG for some scary scenes, and cartoon/animation action

Running time: 94 minutes

Pierre Coffin (dir.)

Chris Renaud (dir.)

Ken Daurio (screenplay)

Cinco Paul (screenplay)

Sergio Pablos (story)

Heitor Pereira (music)

Steve Carell as Gru (voice)

Jason Segel as Vector (voice)

Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario (voice)

Julie Andrews as Gru’s Mom (voice)

Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins (voice)

Kristen Wiig as Miss Hattie (voice)

Miranda Cosgrove as Margo (voice)

Dana Gaier as Edith (voice)

Elsie Fisher as Agnes (voice)

Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Gru and his Minions in Despicable Me

Our reviews below:

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Despicable Me Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

After a pyramid is stolen by his rival, Vector (Jason Segal), Gru (Steve Carrell) realizes that he must kick it up a notch if he wishes to become the best at being evil.  His plan, put forth with the help of the elderly Dr. Nafario (Russel Brand), and an army of amusing yellow Minions, is to steal the moon.  But first, he must steal Vector’s shrink ray.

When he ends up adopting three orphan girls, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), his plan and life are thrown out of whack.  But these sweet little girls may just be the best thing that ever happened to him.  The story is a mixture of cartoon ridiculousness, and sweet believability.  The blend works well here, making Despicable Me a vastly entertaining film.

The 3D is put to great use, with things sticking out into the audience, as well as adding a window into the wonderful visuals.  Although it will likely still hold up on its merits as a movie in 2D, this is one of those times were it is more than worth it to pay the premium.  Over the credits, we get an amusing play on 3D visuals ala the Minions, and it’s one of the most breathtaking uses of the medium that I’ve seen.

The Minions have been featured in the majority of advertising for the film, and they are actually quite endearing.  They offer the same cute-appeal as the three-eyed aliens in Toy Story, and offer some of the funniest gags in the movie.

Despicable Me features excellent voice work, and a great script filled with many surprises and welcome touches of dark humour.  The storyline plays as both joyfully juvenile and borderline brilliant.  The visuals are bright and vibrant, and the aforementioned 3D works perfectly, especially in a stunning roller coaster sequence.

It isn’t up to the same level as this year’s How To Train Your Dragon or Toy Story 3, but did anybody expect it to top those two masterpieces?  No, but what makes Despicable Me such a joyful blast of fresh air, is the way it holds the audience in a gleeful, unpredictable manic for the entire running time.  And, more importantly, it’s got a big heart and enough sweet moments to make this a highly appealing good time for people of all ages.

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Despicable Me Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

In Despicable Me, Gru (Steve Carell) is a villain who’s evil plans never quite come together.  That, and he’s not as young as the new up-and-coming villains.  When one of the pyramids is stolen, (not by Gru), it makes him look even worse, so he decides he’s going to upstage this by getting a shrink ray and stealing the moon – yes, the moon.  But, because of his previous failings, he is being financially cut off by the evil bank.  Plus, what he didn’t anticipate, was having three girls to look after – orphans who initially are just part of his plan, but come to mean a whole lot more to him.

Basically, the plot is as unbelievable as anything you’d see in a Looney Tunes outing, but it doesn’t matter.  You just go along for the ride, forget logic, and have a good time.  The excellent voice-work makes it all the more worth it.

The animation in Despicable Me – done by Illumination Entertainment in France, is quite good – as is the 3D which works really well here, making it one of the films I’d recommend paying the extra for, if you can.  Is the animation up to that seen in Toy Story 3, or How To Train Your Dragon?  Qualitywise – (unlike what I’ve seen of the upcoming Alpha and Omega for example) – it’s pretty close.  Very different style though – very cartoony.  (Speaking of which, the ‘minions’, which I didn’t know what to think of in the trailers, amused me here, fitting with the cartoon atmosphere.)  Put simply though, the animation is of good quality and works with the film well.

Now, there seems to be a tendency to class animated films all together.  But, besides comparing the medium as I did in the last paragraph, there really isn’t a need to compare unless the genre is the same.  Two of the main films, (animated or otherwise), that stand out this year, are TS3 and HTTYD.  Is Despicable Me on the same level filmwise as those two?  No.  That’s like asking if Iron Man 2 is on the same level as Up, or Up in the Air (both Best Picture noms).  I know it’s not, but like this one, it was fun – every movie doesn’t have to be an awards contender.

The question that most people would be interested in knowing the answer to is, is this film worth the price of admission for some summer fun (and in 3D)?  In my book, yes (and yes).  This was just a straight-up cartoon – and I loved it for it.  Tons of fun and appropriate for all ages.

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Despicable Me Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Despicable Me is a quirky family comedy with a lot of heart.  The film follows Gru (Steve Carell), an evil genius who is constantly being outdone by his younger rival, Vector (Jason Segel).  In order to beat Vector, Gru decides to steal the biggest thing he can find – the moon.  In order to get a shrink ray for the task, Gru decides to steal one.

But when the shrink ray is stolen by Vector, Gru devises a plan to get it back.  The plan involves Gru adopting three girls from an orphanage, who happen to sell Vector’s favourite cookies.  Gru soon realizes that, although parenting may be hard at times, it is also rewarding.  As a father, Gru gradually stops being “despicable,” learning to love and care for someone other than himself.

Despicable Me is a completely wholesome film.  The humour, while juvenile at times, is clever without relying on sexual innuendo.  I especially liked the yellow “minions,” who are cute little creatures that exist in Gru’s lair.  There is never any explanation as to what they are, but they oddly fit in the film’s cartoon universe.  I also really liked the message about putting family first.  Despicable Me is also one of the only films in recent years that has a scene in which children are shown praying.

Despicable Me has an interesting visual style, with a clever use of Real-D 3D.  Be sure to stay through the end credits!  Bring the whole family to Despicable Me, for 94 minutes of harmless fun.

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Despicable Me Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

There’s always been something fun about watching evil cartoon villains do their evil deeds and laugh their evil laughs.  Despicable Me is a highly entertaining, sweetly silly and never too scary animated family movie.  It is especially fun in 3D.

Steve Carell provides the appropriately villainous voice and accent to Gru, a despicable villain who is no longer at the top of his game in the villain world.  His arch-nemisis is Vector (Jason Segal) a young upstart villain who manages to upstage Gru in creating villainous mischief.  Gru’s plan to become head villain once again is to steal a shrink ray gun and then steal the moon.  He has his small army of yellow minions to help but the key to his success turns out to be three orphan girls who he manages to adopt.

The three orphan girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, are all cute and work their way into Gru’s life and heart.  The minions are even cuter and funnier in a strange sort of way.  There’s something appealing about the little yellow pill-shaped guys.

The action that takes place with Vector and Gru battling to steal the moon is very cartoonish.  Despicable Me never goes over the top in trying to scare little kids.  The humour has an innocence that is refreshing and there are some really sweet moments involving Gru and the orphan girls.

The best scenes in the movie come during the end credits with some really funny and good use of 3D action with the Minions.  Despicable Me is a despicably fun movie for the whole family.  Bring your favourite Minions.

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Despicable Me Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Despicable Me is Gru (Steve Carell), a stout middle-aged pointy-nosed villain who has fallen on hard times.  Under his house is a lair with dozens of tiny yellow minions and various gadgets devised by Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand).  To impress his evil mother (Julie Andrews), he plans to steal the moon, having shrunk it first with a stolen shrink ray.  To get financing from evil banker Mr. Perkins (Will Arnett) he has to compete with the upstart Vector (Jason Segel), who beat him to the shrink ray.  To get it back, he gains access to Vector’s fortress by adopting three little sisters from the orphanage of (Edie McClurg type) Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig), who are to deliver cookies to him.  Though the ultimate outcome may be somewhat predictable, there are a lot of clever twists and gags along the way in what is obviously a ridiculous story.

Though the characters of Despicable Me are mainly caricatures, some more grotesque than others, the outstanding voice cast brings them to life, often improvising on what is already a strong script.  This is one film that is really more enjoyable in 3D, especially in the roller coaster scene and closing credits.   Though it is not in the same league as How to Train Your Dragon or most Pixar films, Despicable Me is one of the better animated features out there.

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Consensus: Featuring a great use of 3D, and an excellent all-star voice cast, Despicable Me is alternatively sweet and hilarious, providing a ton of cartoon fun for people of all ages. ***1/4 (Out of 4)