Despicable Me 2 is not as inventive, perhaps, as the original. The story isn’t quite as inspired, but alas, such is the way with sequels for the most part. But don’t let that stop you from seeing it, because frankly, it’s funnier and just a plain good time. And best of all, it’s got 30 % more minions!*
Despicable Me 2 is not as inventive, perhaps, as the original. The story isn’t quite as inspired, but alas, such is the way with sequels for the most part. But don’t let that stop you from seeing it, because frankly, it’s funnier and just a plain good time. And best of all, it’s got 30 % more minions!*
Gru has been busy being a father to the three girls, and trying to start a legitimate business. But one day the Anti-Villain League show up and ask to recruit him to help stop a mysterious super-villain with a diabolical plan to conquer the world. Who better to help stop a villain than another villain?
After Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL), they set him up as a shop owner in the local mall because they believe one of the other shop owners is the villain that’s stolen a big secret lab in the Arctic. Gru concludes that it’s a villain that runs a mexican restaurant at the mall. And as it turns out, this restaurant owners son has garnered the attention of Gru’s eldest daughter, and therefore is driving Gru crazy. So, seemingly blinded by his overprotectedness of his daughter, Gru seems to be on the wrong track even as his minions are disappearing left and right.
This is certainly more funny than the first one, I think mostly because there seems to be more use of the little yellow minions. That’s what people really want to see here anyway, right? The kinda cute, they’re sorta goofy, and they get to do most of the funny stuff anyway. But hey, it works, and that’s all that matters here.
The rest of the stuff with Gru is fine. It’s all cartoon type humor and it’ll work for most kids, and even some for adults. They’ve added subplots about the oldest daughter liking a boy, and stuff about Gru not having a girlfriend, and the daughters want to see him find a woman to make him happy, as well as the youngest girl wanting a mother figure in her life. It’s all very sweet and sometimes funny as we see one of Gru’s neighbor’s keep trying to set him up on dates with women he just isn’t interested in. And through a flashback, we see why, which offers a moment of sympathizing with Gru.
All the voice work is great here. I suspect they all had a good time doing their jobs, and it shows on screen. In addition to Steve Carell reprising his role of Gru, we have Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, and Steve Coogan.
There is noticble more of the minions here, and like I said, that’s a good thing. They offer the bulk of the humor and fun in Despicable Me 2. I felt that the first one was only mildly entertaining, but again, the minions got most of what WAS funny in the first one as well. Frankly, they simply lend themselves to the most opportunity to be funny. I’m actually surprised the film makers haven’t done what Pixar does and just make some short films about them. Obviously there is a vast supply of stuff they could have them do, and plenty of goofy situations they could find themselves in.
I also think it’s funny that they make the minions somewhat gender ambiguous. They all have male names but so often they dress in maid outfits or in dresses. They’re like little yellow Monty Python or Kids in the Hall characters.
Ok, fine. I love the minions. Sue me. I can’t help it, the writers and directors have roped me in. Sure, Despicable Me 2 isn’t not as good as a Pixar film, but it’s fun and a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes – and you can do it with your kids. Easily three and half kittenhands, one of the more enjoyable animated films of late. And I think considerably funnier than the first Despicable Me.
~ Neil T. Weakley, your average movie-goer, eagerly awaiting Pacific Rim.
* Percent of minions may not be an accurate calculation.