"Despicable Me 2" - directed by Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud
I came late to "Despicable Me" - by that I mean the first film.
A couple of years ago expecting to see an outdoor screening of "Inception" that had been postponed it turned out that they were showing the 2010 animated movie instead.
Since I was already there with a seat, a blanket, food and a six pack I stayed.
And I am very, very glad that I did.
I had heard some good word on it but "Despicable Me" turned out to be an absolute hoot.
Funny, touching and nicely animated it was tone perfect and managed to appeal to a wide audience without insulting any segment- young or old.
For a budget of $69,000,000 it pulled in $543,000,000 in ticket sales.
Obviously a sequel would be forthcoming.
The usual sequel rules apply with a bigger budget, returning stars and some new big name additions.
There were bumps in the road with Al Pacino leaving the production amid 'creative differences'.
But more on that later.
Sequels are almost always made simply because their predecessor made a bunch of profit.
Studios are businesses so I don't say this in any way as a criticism - merely a reality.
The issue of course is that when finance is the greatest driver the follow up films are often less great in the other areas- namely artistry.
We have had four Pirates of the Caribbean movies for instance and only the first of them was any good at all.
I was somewhat optimistic in the case of "Despicable Me 2" because the teasers and trailers were very well done and very, very funny.
The trouble was that they were almost all focused on the minions - the cute little yellow chaps with goggles that work for formerly evil lead character Gru.
My worry was that these guys who were clearly the breakout success stories of the first film would be overused in place of all of the other things that made the original so good.
That would be story, tone, great characters, humour and well controlled pacing.
Well, I was right about the first bit.
But I was wrong about the second.
"Despicable Me 2" does rely heavily on the minions but there is still plenty of humour left for the other characters- old and new.
This is easily funnier than the first film and miles funnier than pretty much any animated movie that I have seen in the last five years if not longer.
In fact it is so well populated with effective laughs at very regular intervals that it is easy to overlook a slightly weak central plot.
What does the lead villain want and why does he go so far to steal an entire arcti bases using his gigantic magnet?
It's something about a super secret formula and world domination but other than that I don't know because the film uses this particular plot line merely because it has to have some sort of plot at the centre.
This aspect reminds me of the weaker Bond movies - particularly the Pierce Brosnan era ones.
The villains are interchangeable and their plans are absurd and of little importance other than allowing Bond to use gadgets, women and cars in foiling them.
In the case of "Despicable Me 2" I really don't care.
There are better (albeit less glamorous) plot lines regarding Agnes' desire for a Mother and another involving a love interest for Gru.
Both of these provide enough humour and are strong enough that the weak central plot becomes mere maguffin.
Anyway, I was far too busy laughing and loving every second to worry.
Kristen Wiig who is surely the funniest woman on the planet is a welcome addition as Anti Villian League agent Wilde.
She is the perfect co-star for Steve Carell's Gru.
In one scene a dinner date with an annoyingly shallow woman named Shannon goes wrong and the result is an animated version of the sort of physical comedy that Wiig is renowned for in live action roles like "Bridesamaids", "Paul" and the tv show "Saturday Night Live".
Joining countryman Russell Brand (Dr Nefario) is English comedian Steve Coogan.
Coogan is probably best know as fake personality Alan Partridge or for his role in "Tropic Thunder".
Of the new cast members my favourite is Benjamin Bratt's Mexican restaurant owner Eduardo.
It was this character that Al Pacino was originally cast to voice.
What good fortune then that he didn't work out because I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job with this than Bratt.
His voice work is spot on and terrifically funny.
The accent reminded me of the similarly brilliant work by Frank Chavez voicing Fernando Hernandez in the Grand Theft Auto games.
Eduardo is a hulking mass of chest hair, sweat and gold medallion but Bratt's voice is pure latin lover played entirely for laughs.
But it is surely those little yellow minions that once again steal the show.
Every couple of minutes they provide something truly hilarious.
It is almost impossible to pick a highlight when it comes to the minions.
Maybe its the gut-busting fire alarm scene or the Agent Wilde chase sequence or either of the songs or any of the dozens of funny smaller moments.
Make sure that you stay an extra five minutes once the end credits roll for some more from these great characters.
As is the way the advances in animation technology in between movies has resulted in "Despicable Me 2" looking considerably prettier and smoother than its already very slick predecessor.
Lighting and physics modeling in particular are mighty impressive.
There is an exploding volcano scene that would do a live action movie proud.
What I am supremely happy about however is the marvelous utilisation of 3D in this film.
Finally someone has used it to add excitement to action scenes.
There are vehicles, characters and objects flying all over the screen and best of all- out of the screen.
I can think of a few recent films that I tell friends are worth a look in 3D but only this one is a must see in 3D as far as I am concerned.
It adds a lot to a film that already had much to recommend it.
This one is going to make a lot of money either way people choose to see it.
"Despicable Me 2" is beautifully animated, superbly voiced, spectacular looking, sweet and touching and most importantly of all- hilarious.
These characters are a joy to spend time with specially those minions.
Every time they are on screen- regardless of whether they are the main focus or not- they provide big laughs.
There are two musical sequences involving them at the end that are worth the ticket price alone.
I was laughing continuously throughout both.
Minions aside laughs come from all quarters thick and fast.
Finally an animated movie that entertains for every minute of its run time.
This is an absolute must see for fans of the original and will make new fans for those new to the series.
I personally am looking forward to seeing it again.
Bravo Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment- you have made a movie that reminds us why we go to the cinema in the first place.
Pure unadulterated entertainment.
It is absolutely no exaggeration to say that I loved every single minute of this.
"Despicable Me 2" is a gem for many reasons but none more than because it is just that funny.
A couple of years ago expecting to see an outdoor screening of "Inception" that had been postponed it turned out that they were showing the 2010 animated movie instead.
Since I was already there with a seat, a blanket, food and a six pack I stayed.
And I am very, very glad that I did.
I had heard some good word on it but "Despicable Me" turned out to be an absolute hoot.
Funny, touching and nicely animated it was tone perfect and managed to appeal to a wide audience without insulting any segment- young or old.
For a budget of $69,000,000 it pulled in $543,000,000 in ticket sales.
Obviously a sequel would be forthcoming.
The usual sequel rules apply with a bigger budget, returning stars and some new big name additions.
There were bumps in the road with Al Pacino leaving the production amid 'creative differences'.
But more on that later.
Sequels are almost always made simply because their predecessor made a bunch of profit.
Studios are businesses so I don't say this in any way as a criticism - merely a reality.
The issue of course is that when finance is the greatest driver the follow up films are often less great in the other areas- namely artistry.
We have had four Pirates of the Caribbean movies for instance and only the first of them was any good at all.
I was somewhat optimistic in the case of "Despicable Me 2" because the teasers and trailers were very well done and very, very funny.
The trouble was that they were almost all focused on the minions - the cute little yellow chaps with goggles that work for formerly evil lead character Gru.
My worry was that these guys who were clearly the breakout success stories of the first film would be overused in place of all of the other things that made the original so good.
That would be story, tone, great characters, humour and well controlled pacing.
 |
| The old favourites are back - the minions, Gru, Dr Nefario and the girls- Margo, Agnes and Edith |
But I was wrong about the second.
"Despicable Me 2" does rely heavily on the minions but there is still plenty of humour left for the other characters- old and new.
This is easily funnier than the first film and miles funnier than pretty much any animated movie that I have seen in the last five years if not longer.
In fact it is so well populated with effective laughs at very regular intervals that it is easy to overlook a slightly weak central plot.
What does the lead villain want and why does he go so far to steal an entire arcti bases using his gigantic magnet?
It's something about a super secret formula and world domination but other than that I don't know because the film uses this particular plot line merely because it has to have some sort of plot at the centre.
This aspect reminds me of the weaker Bond movies - particularly the Pierce Brosnan era ones.
The villains are interchangeable and their plans are absurd and of little importance other than allowing Bond to use gadgets, women and cars in foiling them.
In the case of "Despicable Me 2" I really don't care.
There are better (albeit less glamorous) plot lines regarding Agnes' desire for a Mother and another involving a love interest for Gru.
Both of these provide enough humour and are strong enough that the weak central plot becomes mere maguffin.
Anyway, I was far too busy laughing and loving every second to worry.
Kristen Wiig who is surely the funniest woman on the planet is a welcome addition as Anti Villian League agent Wilde.
She is the perfect co-star for Steve Carell's Gru.
In one scene a dinner date with an annoyingly shallow woman named Shannon goes wrong and the result is an animated version of the sort of physical comedy that Wiig is renowned for in live action roles like "Bridesamaids", "Paul" and the tv show "Saturday Night Live".
 |
| Agent Wilde is voiced by Kristen Wiig. Silas Ramsbottom (right) is voiced by Steve Coogan |
Coogan is probably best know as fake personality Alan Partridge or for his role in "Tropic Thunder".
Of the new cast members my favourite is Benjamin Bratt's Mexican restaurant owner Eduardo.
It was this character that Al Pacino was originally cast to voice.
What good fortune then that he didn't work out because I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job with this than Bratt.
His voice work is spot on and terrifically funny.
The accent reminded me of the similarly brilliant work by Frank Chavez voicing Fernando Hernandez in the Grand Theft Auto games.
Eduardo is a hulking mass of chest hair, sweat and gold medallion but Bratt's voice is pure latin lover played entirely for laughs.
But it is surely those little yellow minions that once again steal the show.
Every couple of minutes they provide something truly hilarious.
It is almost impossible to pick a highlight when it comes to the minions.
Maybe its the gut-busting fire alarm scene or the Agent Wilde chase sequence or either of the songs or any of the dozens of funny smaller moments.
Make sure that you stay an extra five minutes once the end credits roll for some more from these great characters.
 |
| Eduardo - wonderfully voiced by Benjamin Bratt. But is he also long presumed dead Mexican super villain El Macho? |
Lighting and physics modeling in particular are mighty impressive.
There is an exploding volcano scene that would do a live action movie proud.
What I am supremely happy about however is the marvelous utilisation of 3D in this film.
Finally someone has used it to add excitement to action scenes.
There are vehicles, characters and objects flying all over the screen and best of all- out of the screen.
I can think of a few recent films that I tell friends are worth a look in 3D but only this one is a must see in 3D as far as I am concerned.
It adds a lot to a film that already had much to recommend it.
This one is going to make a lot of money either way people choose to see it.
 |
| The minions - clearly the stars of the show |
These characters are a joy to spend time with specially those minions.
Every time they are on screen- regardless of whether they are the main focus or not- they provide big laughs.
There are two musical sequences involving them at the end that are worth the ticket price alone.
I was laughing continuously throughout both.
Minions aside laughs come from all quarters thick and fast.
Finally an animated movie that entertains for every minute of its run time.
This is an absolute must see for fans of the original and will make new fans for those new to the series.
I personally am looking forward to seeing it again.
Bravo Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment- you have made a movie that reminds us why we go to the cinema in the first place.
Pure unadulterated entertainment.
It is absolutely no exaggeration to say that I loved every single minute of this.
"Despicable Me 2" is a gem for many reasons but none more than because it is just that funny.
| Rated | PG for mild violence |
| Running Time: | 98 minutes (1 hr, 30 mins without end credits but stay for 5 mins more minions) |
| Starring: |
| Steve Carell | --- Gru (voice) |
| Kristen Wiig | --- Lucy Wilde (voice) |
| Ken Jeong | --- Floyd (voice) |
| Miranda Cosgrove | --- Margo (voice) |
| Russell Brand | --- Dr Nefario (voice) |
| Steve Coogan | --- Silas Ramsbottom (voice) |
| Benjamin Bratt | --- Eduardo (voice) |
| Moises Arias | --- Antonio (voice) |
| Elsie Kate Fisher | --- Agnes (voice) |
| Dana Gaier | --- Edith (voice) |
| Nasim Pedrad | --- Jillian (voice) |
I was really disappointed by this but I am glad you liked it. I found it unimaginative in comparison to the first one.
ReplyDeleteHey Erik.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the less imaginative than the first movie thing but for me the fact that it made me laugh so frequently and so hard made up for it.
Even though I admit that it leans very heavily on the minions for laughs.