For the gang at Moving Pictures, I reviewed Despicable Me.
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| The first feature from Illumination Entertainment, founded in 2008 by former 20th Century Fox Animation president Chris Meledandri, “Despicable Me” exceeds the quality of the initial offerings from other successful post-Pixar animation studios, Dreamworks (“Antz”) and Blue Sky (“Ice Age”). The charming 3-D film pits legendary super-criminal Gru (Steve Carrell) against next-generation villain Vector (Jason Segel) in a game of one-upmanship. |
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| The fast-moving, funny script, crafted by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (co-scripters of “Horton Hears a Who”) from a story by Sergio Pablos, slides dangerously close to the maudlin and, at times, the nauseatingly cute. The “Gremlins”-inspired minions bring a heavy dose of the saccharin combined with a much-appreciated chaos. These tiny, genetically engineered yellow creatures successfully elevate this standard curmudgeon-saved-by-adorable-children plot from its humdrum origins into a movie littered with clever moments. The modern-day Dickensian girls, straight from central casting and perfectly voiced by Cosgrove, Gaier and Fisher, heap on both sweetness and cynicism. Their interactions with the minions deliver some of the film’s most memorable sequences. |
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| While not the finest animated feature of the summer, “Despicable Me” promises an entertaining, exciting romp for the whole family. Go for the popcorn, the AC and the film, but be sure to stay through the credits for more minion madness. |