Gru returns in Despicable Me 2 as the world’s greatest super-villain turned hero and father to three adoptive daughters.
For this sequel Gru (Steve Carell) confronts the task of being the perfect single parent who bats away every attempt by an intruding neighbour to set him up on blind dates. In the mix of this neighbour fiasco, a super-villain takes off with an entire secret laboratory, stealing the potion to making the strongest, most purple minions of all time. The Anti-Villain League (AVL) tracks down the culprit to a suburban mall where the Mexican salsa dancer, and suspected ex-villain, Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt) has set up shop.
Gru is recruited by the AVL, partnering him up with the perpetually enthusiastic Lucy (Kirsten Wiig), to hunt out the thief and prevent a national crisis. All the while Gru must care for his daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher) and keep tabs on both his wingman Dr Nefario (Russell Brand) and his yellow, pill-shaped minions who are forever being distracted from their work at the first sight of fun.
Overall, the film is an enjoyable night out for the family. The movie utilises the standard mix of adult and child humour that audiences have come to expect of computer animated films. It makes for plenty of laughs for most ages. The minions play a particularly favourite part for children with their outrageous slapstick antics, while the infectious optimism and care of Lucy plays well into the hands of the older viewers.
The comedic skills of the voice actors blend nicely with the visually-humorous designs of the characters and their world. The film appears to be made with 3D in mind to be visually impressive, much more so than the first Despicable Me film. That, combined with a fast moving, yet heartfelt, storyline, provides for a delightfully entertaining experience suitable for all ages.
An Illumination Entertainment film, directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud.
Reviewed by Alex Dunkin
Rating out of 10: 7
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