Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Despicable Me 2

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Despicable Me 2 - Review

Despicable Me 2

(2013 - July 3)
Animation | Comedy | Crime
1 hr. 38 min.

Rated: PG Rude humor and mild action. Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+ Read more on child suitability
Grade: A-

Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Writers: Ken Daurio (screenplay), Cinco Paul (screenplay)
Stars: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt | See full cast and crew

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy animated adventure featuring the return of Gru (Steve Carell), the girls, the unpredictably hilarious minions... and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.

I expected the typical sequel letdown for Despicable Me 2, however, I was very pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this movie. In fact, I enjoyed this film as much, if not more than, as the original. I found the original's 'evil' Gru a bit tedious, just another villian, albeit with Steve Carell's wit, but otherwise very typical. In Despicable Me 2 I liked following Gru on his journey in a new direction and his new life. The only thing I didn't actually like was the Kristen Wiig's Lucy, initially, but she does grow on you. She immediately gratted on me, particularly the, "Lipstick taser!" line, but I did warm up to her as the story progressed.

I suppose that the cartoon violence and the very mild saucy language could be questionable for the very young, but in my opinion this film is acceptable for the entire family, and I don't think adults will find it punishing to accompany their kids to this one.

Despicable Me 2, the sequel to 2010's hit supervillain adventure Despicable Me, features gadgets and weapons like the original, but now with the aim of stopping "evil" instead of perpetrating it. There's a romantic subplot between Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig), an Anti-Villain League agent. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove) has her first crush and boyfriend as well, although both couples mostly flirt and stare at each other (the adults do kiss).

Language is mild ("nutjob," "sheep's butt"), and the violence is cartoonish and silly but does include biological weapons and a taser gun. Mexican restaurant owner Eduardo is depicted somewhat stereotypically (his restaurant is Salsa and Salsa, he has a pet chicken he calls el pollito, and he throws a lavish Cinco de Mayo party). Otherwise, this is a minions-filled animated adventure for the entire family.

At work in the studio recording the voices for the animation.