MOVIE OF THE WEEK #1 (7/3/13): DESPICABLE ME 2
KEY VOICE CAST MEMBERS: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Ken Jeong, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier and Moises Arias
WRITER(S): Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio
DIRECTOR(S): Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin
WEB SITE: http://www.despicable.me
60 SECOND PLOT SYNOPSIS: Remember Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), the villain-turned-lovable adoptive stepdad to Margo (voiced by Miranda Cosgrove), Agnes (Voiced by Elsie Fisher) and Edith (Dana Gaier) from 2010's hit Despicable Me? Well, his latest adventure finds him trying to stick to the straight and narrow path, hoping to become a purveyor of jams and jellies with the help of his loveable minions and Dr. Nefario (voiced by Russell Brand).
Unfortunately for Gru, it seems as if his past career just won't fade away quietly – which is why the Anti-Villian League (AVL for short) is seeking his help in tracking down a supervillain who stole an arctic station clear out of the blue. As AVL head Silas (voiced by Steve Coogan) explains to Gru, they need his expertise as a former supervillain – and that's why they're pairing him up with energetic agent Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig). For the AVL – which is offering Gru a chance to get back into the espionage game – has tracked down the villain to a mall ... Where he and Lucy will work under the cover of a dessert shop. Gru will have to do it without Dr. Nefario, however, who has found new employment with a mysterious villain who will allow him to get back to the evil he loves so much.
So, will Gru accept the AVL's offer to work for the good guys and help take down one of his own ... Or will his jellies and jams pre-occupy his time so much that he won't have any left to save the world? What do you think?!
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST: People who liked Despicable Me, people who like funny films that are built for both adults and children, fans of 3D who like well-done 3D movies, Steve Carell fans, Kristen Wiig fans
Unfortunately for Gru, it seems as if his past career just won't fade away quietly – which is why the Anti-Villian League (AVL for short) is seeking his help in tracking down a supervillain who stole an arctic station clear out of the blue. As AVL head Silas (voiced by Steve Coogan) explains to Gru, they need his expertise as a former supervillain – and that's why they're pairing him up with energetic agent Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig). For the AVL – which is offering Gru a chance to get back into the espionage game – has tracked down the villain to a mall ... Where he and Lucy will work under the cover of a dessert shop. Gru will have to do it without Dr. Nefario, however, who has found new employment with a mysterious villain who will allow him to get back to the evil he loves so much.
So, will Gru accept the AVL's offer to work for the good guys and help take down one of his own ... Or will his jellies and jams pre-occupy his time so much that he won't have any left to save the world? What do you think?!
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST: People who liked Despicable Me, people who like funny films that are built for both adults and children, fans of 3D who like well-done 3D movies, Steve Carell fans, Kristen Wiig fans
WHO WON'T LIKE THIS FILM: People who didn't like Despicable Me, people who don't like animated movies, people who find the minion characters annoying
BOTTOM LINE – IS IT GOOD, GREAT, BAD OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? Great – and possibly one of the funniest sequels made to an animated film since Shrek 2.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: Despicable Me 2 does what so few sequels, let alone comedy sequels these days, do successfully: [1] Be funny [2] original and [3] expand upon the characters introduced in the original film without [4] sacrificing any of the qualities that made audiences like/love them in the first place.
Carell takes his voice acting to another level in 2, bringing ever joy, surprise, defeat, victory and general quirk of Gru to phenomenal light from start to finish. Playing well off of his co-stars, Gru serves as both protagonist and straight man to other characters' jokes, the film's emotional centerpiece and heroic figure – all while showing sides of his own unique personality and the childhood incidents that made him the man he is today. Likewise, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier and Fisher (the only actual child actor among the three young female characters) provide great energy and significance in their roles while Brand, Benjamin Bratt (as Eduardo/El Macho) and Moises Arias (as Bratt's character's son Antonio) add great comedic touches throughout the film. And fear not, minion fans – the little yellow guys in the blue overalls are more involved in 2, but not just for the sake of being there. Each scene they are featured in is a top quality one, never feels exploitative and only serve to enhance your overall viewing experience.
Of course, none of this would work so well without the great direction of Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. For the duo not only provide great instruction to their cast to get the most out of Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio's script, but also craft a film that is one of the best 3D releases since 3D came back into vogue several years ago. As opposed to fading into the visual background, the 3D pops, sizzles and illuminates the world, bringing all of its residents' actions into full living, breathing color.
A film that proves Disney•Pixar doesn't have the market cornered on quality animation films, Despicable Me 2 is both funny and family-friendly at the same time without being one in spite of the other. Just be sure you and your little minions don't miss out on this year's best animated film to date.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: Despicable Me 2 does what so few sequels, let alone comedy sequels these days, do successfully: [1] Be funny [2] original and [3] expand upon the characters introduced in the original film without [4] sacrificing any of the qualities that made audiences like/love them in the first place.
Carell takes his voice acting to another level in 2, bringing ever joy, surprise, defeat, victory and general quirk of Gru to phenomenal light from start to finish. Playing well off of his co-stars, Gru serves as both protagonist and straight man to other characters' jokes, the film's emotional centerpiece and heroic figure – all while showing sides of his own unique personality and the childhood incidents that made him the man he is today. Likewise, Wiig, Cosgrove, Gaier and Fisher (the only actual child actor among the three young female characters) provide great energy and significance in their roles while Brand, Benjamin Bratt (as Eduardo/El Macho) and Moises Arias (as Bratt's character's son Antonio) add great comedic touches throughout the film. And fear not, minion fans – the little yellow guys in the blue overalls are more involved in 2, but not just for the sake of being there. Each scene they are featured in is a top quality one, never feels exploitative and only serve to enhance your overall viewing experience.
Of course, none of this would work so well without the great direction of Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. For the duo not only provide great instruction to their cast to get the most out of Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio's script, but also craft a film that is one of the best 3D releases since 3D came back into vogue several years ago. As opposed to fading into the visual background, the 3D pops, sizzles and illuminates the world, bringing all of its residents' actions into full living, breathing color.
A film that proves Disney•Pixar doesn't have the market cornered on quality animation films, Despicable Me 2 is both funny and family-friendly at the same time without being one in spite of the other. Just be sure you and your little minions don't miss out on this year's best animated film to date.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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