‘Despicable Me 2’ Review

No recent film can better be defined as “short, sweet, and to the point” than the animated sequel “Despicable Me 2”. The 2010 original was a pleasant surprise, as we were introduced to supervillain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) whose evil ways were changed forever by three orphan girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes. And the film’s breakout stars, Gru’s little yellow Minions, immediately became iconic, modern-day animated characters. “Despicable Me” was both a good vs. evil action film, as Gru tried to make his mother of him proud by stealing the Moon, and a heartwarming relationship story as Gru grew to love his new daughters. And it was 100% funny.

As “DM2” begins, we see that Gru has become accustomed to his new lifestyle as “stay at home dad”. No longer in the business of trying to take over the world, he and the Minions have resorted to a new business: making homemade jams and jellies. Of course, when you’re a popular and successful single father women become interested. But Gru has no interest in having another female in his life – three young ladies are plenty. But his daughters believe that a wife for their father and finally a mother for themselves is just what they need. Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) thinks Gru has become too much of a softy and decides to leave for another job opportunity.

Meantime, there are other supervillains in the world who are still up to no good. Gru is visited by agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) from the Anti-Villain League. She and the league’s director Silas Ramsbottom (Minion: “Ha ha ha – bottom”) need Gru to help stop a mysterious criminal mastermind. So he and Lucy go undercover at a local mall to try to find this bad guy, with the assistance of the Minions, of course. While, at the same time, Gru must begin to deal with the fact that Margo (Amanda Cosgrove), his oldest daughter, is growing-up.

“Despicable Me 2” works on so many levels. It’s got action, romance, loads of big laughs and even zombies! And the addition of the key new characters helps give the film a fresh feel. Initially Lucy comes-off as being a little too over-the-top/bubbly to handle. But as the story progresses, we begin to see that she’s just the partner that Gru needs in his life. Mexican restaurant owner Eduardo was originally going to be voiced by Al Pacino but he left the project due to “creative differences” at the last minute and was immediately replaced by “Law & Order”‘s Benjamin Bratt. Pacino might’ve made Eduardo sound older than the character is, so Bratt ended-up being a better choice.

The script includes several surprises. In a summer filled with airplane disaster scenes, one late in the film is just what we needed. Some of the comedy is pure slapstick, but “DM2” is also filled with classic scenes and clever dialogue, particularly for older kids and adults. But the main thing that elevates “DM2” above the original can be summed-up in two words: MORE MINIONS! They are simply hysterical. The writers clearly knew, this time, that the audience couldn’t get enough of these guys, so they’re used both in the plot and, at times, simply for laughs. There’s a musical scene toward the end of the film that’s the funniest of the year – by far. And the Minions appear throughout the credits as well, in one, long 3D gag (which also teases next year’s “Minions” spin-off movie!)

“Despicable Me 2” is rated PG for mild rude humor, animated action/violence and brief nudity (a minion butt). It’s appropriate for kids 8 and up, but even little ones will enjoy the hijinks of the minions, even if they won’t understand the other elements of the story. Technically impressive, unpredictable, and entertaining on multiple levels, this is the best animated film of the year so far.

On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Despicable Me 2” gets an A-. It shouldn’t be too long before we hear news from Universal of a “DM3”, as this franchise has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most popular and reliable.