Despicable Me 2 Review

In 2010, Illumination Studios warmed everyone's heart with a tale of an oddball villain named Gru (Steve Carell) who through a series of events turns his life around and becomes the parent of 3 adorable orphan girls. In this expected sequel we revisit this new family as Gru's begins his new mission as the good guy in a secret spy organization known as the Anti-Villain League. Though Despicable Me 2 never recaptures the heart of it's predecessor, it offers a slew of laughs and an enjoyable experience for all ages.

 

My biggest gripe with this in particular film is the amount of screen time given to the fan favorite minions. Much like any other kids movie, the cutest and most loveable characters are forced into the frame without any need to be there. This is the case with the minions, I figure they are in at least 95% of the scenes in the film, and most scenes with them didn't work for me. The scenes that did work however is any interaction between Gru and "his girls". Not only where they funny, they added a large amount of heart to the film that for the most part is a mixed bag. The minions being forced into each frame felt forced, and while at times funny, relied on slapstick to get a the youngsters to laugh. They are even an essential part of a razor thin plot, that I felt could of and should of been different. Too much of a good thing, isn't necessarily a good thing and that is the case with the minions. What made the minions so loveable is there subtle way they were used in the first film. This movie may has well been called Minions (oh yeah, that comes out next year). I know a large majority of the population will disagree with me, and that's fine because I understand what they wanted from the film.

Not many people are like me, they don't go into animated films expecting more than a good time. Which means I highly recommend the film to pretty much anyone, even though I found it to be an average animated film. The minions will make people laugh, and there is no character that is ever dull or misused, with the exception of the middle child Edith who is really there to complete the group. You will continue to fall in love with Gru as a father figure, and even have fun with the newer characters like Lucy (Kristin Wiig) or Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt). For a sequel I say, not bad Illumination keep working hard and thanks for an enjoyable film.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 5