DESPICABLE ME 2
DIRECTOR: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
VOICE CAST: Steve Carell, Kirsten Wiig, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Benjamin Bratt
CLASSIFICATION: PG
RUNNING TIME: 98 minutes
RATING: ***
DESPICABLE Me 2 is cute, sweet and totally filled with minions which, let’s face it, is the reason we want a sequel.
While it doesn’t quite have the same crazy inventiveness of its predecessor, the film does contain some sweet interaction between the characters and plenty of laughs.
The animation is sparkly and detailed, but the 3d aspect only really kicks in over the end credits which will keep the audience glued to their seats. Still, the under- water sequence of Lucy and her submarine car is gorgeous.
Pharrell Williams’s songs are suitably bright and breezy and though there are fights and mishaps aplenty, it stays non-violent in a cartoony way, so it never becomes too scary for little ones. Plotwise the film is extremely simple, but as with the first one, it is the characters who get your attention first.
Reformed bad guy Gru (voiced by Carell) and the girls are back, as is his evil henchman Dr Nefario (Brand). The dastardly duo have turned their energy to creating the perfect jam. But, while Gru is keeping busy as a domesticated father to three girls, Dr Nefario feels his talents may be withering and he wants to do more…
This time around Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help them track down a new supercriminal. In the meantime, he has to deal with Margo (Cosgrove) falling in love and the very different reactions from Edith (Gaier) and Agnes (Fisher).
Then there’s the possibility of a love interest in the form of agent Lucy (Wiig) and Gru just doesn’t have time to be bad. He isn’t alone though, since Bob, Stuart, Dave and Kevin and all the rest of the little yellow guys are doing their level best to help out their beloved leader.
That is, when they aren’t throw- ing their own little parties or being kidnapped by a mysterious minion snatcher. The interactions between the minions themselves are the best part of this Illumination Entertainment offering and already there’s a Minion movie slated for release next year so there are plenty of people who seem to agree.
Even more than the first film, this one explores the concept of good and bad, but that is something adults will pick up on, the kids are going to have eyes only for the minions.
The elastic yellow minions gabble their own little language to each other, but their well-timed pratfalls, infectious giggles and absolute cuteness save the day.
Another plus is that the Gru character has actually grown since the first story – he’s not quite the same rude, evil guy as before.
Now he is trying to be a responsible suburban dad, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to bring out the karate moves if someone tries to hurt his girls.
The goofy minions steal the show, cleverly hiding the lack of an emotional core to the film. The interaction between the humans keeps on being interrupted for more minion mayhem and while we love the little yellow pills on legs, the back of your brain will miss the emotional development.
If you liked Despicable Me you will like this.
WIN! WIN! WIN!
Tonight is offering three lucky readers the chance to win a Despicable Me 2 hamper. Each hamper consists of a beach towel, a T-shirt, a cap, and a folder flying disc, as well as a Despicable Me Blu-Ray DVD. To stand a chance of winning, simply e-mail your name, and contact details, to [email protected]. Please put “Tonight Despicable Me 2 Competition” in the subject bar.The competition closes on Friday, July 12, at noon. Only the winners will be contacted.