Despicable Me 2
Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Ken Jeong
Running Time: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: July 3, 2013
PLOT: Gru (Carell) is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to work with a new partner (Wiig) at a mall, trying to discover the identity of a new super villain.
WHO'S IT FOR? Those who liked the first one, and anyone looking for easy entertainment.
OVERALL
There is a reason why some Despicable Me 2 posters only show you the minions; they are stealing the show. Minions are funny. Sure, they are terribly sophomoric, spewing jibberish with only a few actions actually pertaining to the film's plot, but listen to the film's plot. Gru is domesticated. It starts off adorably with Agnes' (Elsie Kate Fisher) birthday party. But eventually we realize Gru is getting bored, and his three orphaned daughters would like him to date. Luckily the AVL (Anti-Villain League, duh) comes along with Lucy (Wiig) becoming his sidekick to track down a villain. Unfortunately, all of the "tracking down of the villain" takes place at a mall, and barely gets into the concept of a villain-turned-hero tracking down other villains. Wiig doesn't shine, which is something I can rarely say about the normally hilarious and charming actress. The villain is obvious, because it's the only other character we spend time with.
So, what do you do with a lame plot and characters that aren't doing anything funny? Insert minions, lots and lots of minions. The little yellow guys happily steal the show. Whether it is burping, running around naked, or singing "I Swear" by All 4 One, the minions work for me. They are the lowest common denominator of humor, but somehow they still treat the audience with a hint of respect. This doesn't feel like The Smurfs or Yogi Bear type entertainment. Maybe that's just the magic of pointless non-sensical little munchkins.
Russell Brand is bland, Carell's Russian accent makes his natural charm disappear, Ken Jeong is present (like in everything else), the three orphan girls are barely given anything to do, and yet I want more. Luckily, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment knows what I want. In 2014 we are getting a minions-movie spin-off. Bring on the idiotic fun.
FINAL SCORE: 6/10