Review: Despicable Me 2

My DESPICABLE ME cherry was popped just under a month ago, and while I was late to the party, I thought it was pretty funny… and haven’t minded the fact that since then, my kids and I have seen it three or four times. There’s something innocent and charming about the flick, underneath all the layers of evil… and of course, never underestimate the power of the Minions, who literally steal every scene they’re in. Least to say, my excitement for DESPICABLE ME 2 was climbing as the weeks have gone on, and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed! DM2 is one funny ride full of even more Minion madness than ever before!

So what’s the dealio with DM2?  Here’s what IMDb says: Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.

DM2 is, in many ways, exactly like DM. The same level of comedy (poop and fart jokes galore, but plenty of adult humor to make it funny for the parents, too. Though, let’s be honest… you’re never too old for poop and fart jokes), the same level of innocence (thanks to the trio of girls), and the same super-spy stuff filled with gadgets, gizmos and typical “good guy vs. bad guy” scenarios. The main difference here is, knowing that the Minions stole the show and were the sole reason for the success of DM, they pumped DM2 with even more Minion shenanigans. And this, my friends, is what makes DM2 a watchable and mostly enjoyable ride. Those Minions are fucking hilarious!

The animation is great (same as before), and I’ll be honest here… the 3D is pretty awesome. I usually take a huge dump all over 3D, but for DM2, it works. Because it’s animation, it inherently looks better than live-action 3D ever will, but more importantly, the filmmakers seemed to “get” how to use the 3D effectively, which for a movie like this, means they know that 3D is just a gimmick, and they execute accordingly. So there’s plenty of stuff flying at the screen, there are plenty of cool camera tricks along the way, and you even have a scene in “evil Minion vision” which was both funny and imaginative. Plus, the post-movie 3D shtick produced one of the best 3D effects I’ve seen since AVATAR, featuring a Minion blowing bubbles at the audience, and I shit you not… it had me reaching out to grab a handful, it looked that fucking good.

There’s not a whole lot to fault DM2 for, except for this: it’s a little too much like its predecessor. I’m not saying this is this year’s THE HANGOVER PART II or anything like that, as they’re different… but there are a few too many familiar scenes and plot points going on, giving off that “been there, done that” vibe. And while I think the music choices were great in DM, they use all the same music in DM2, which is a little weird. They switch it up towards the end (music wise), but they more or less stick with the same story format as the first. Sure, why fix it if it’s not broken, but… still.

On the other hand, it featured a love story between Gru and Special Agent Lucy Wilde which was, in all honesty, quite boring. This is a kid’s movie, no? No kid wants to watch a love story like this, which feels slightly cheesier and less likeable than your typical Disney movie romance. So where the first one excelled in the development of the parent/child relationship, this one flounders with the romantic relationship angle. They could have had Wilde strike up a bond with the girls, but… they don’t. And it’s the little things here and there much like this that makes DM2 a less than perfect movie. The villain (El Macho) is funny, but maybe not as funny as Vector, and the overall evil plan of world domination is pretty weaksauce. Basically, the story here is forgettable and ho-hum, but since most people are going for the Minions, it’s a fault that can be overlooked.

DESPICABLE ME 2 is a funny ride that’s thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end, and is almost a must-see in the theaters due to the 3D. Fuck, I can’t believe I just recommended the movie in 3D, but there you go. The Minions are in top form here, and the goofiness that ensues is both charming and hilarious. I fuckin’ want me a trio of Minions running around my house, doing all the chores, and getting drunk off of ice cream, as I wouldn’t need anything else in life. They’re that awesome. But the story is forgettable, and unlike other animated movies of this caliber, there is no take-home message for the kids in the audience or for anybody really. So where MONSTERS UNIVERSITY excelled in telling kids perseverance and drive can take you places in life, this tells the kids nothing other than Minions are fucking hilarious.

Grade: B