Despicable? Not Really
I can’t tell you how much fun I had watching Despicable Me last weekend. I usually go to these films wondering whether my interest will wane, but I have to say that this film kept me interested and smiling throughout the entire time.
I mean, let’s face it. Even in a cartoon suit, Steve Carell is a funny guy. (I just re-watched The 40-Year-Old Virgin this afternoon and I still laugh out loud, though I’ve seen it multiple times.) Anyway, Steve’s portrayal of Gru, the questionable bad guy, is spot on. His accent is the worst. He’s mother’s is worse yet, and the three little munchkins that come to live with him are interesting characters with tons of personality.
But the show stealers are the minions, for sure. These are Gru’s “henchmen,” but they’re only 2 feet tall or so, yellow, and simple like children. They’re really the charm you can’t resist in that movie.
It all flows around an adoption of three little girls who sell cookies for Miss Hattie’s School for Orphaned Girls to Gru’s nemesis, Vector. Gru sees it as a way to get in to steal back the shrink ray that Vector stole from him. You see, Vector has recently been stealing Gru’s thunder, too, and Gru needs to get it back. So, he uses the girls and in the long run, ends up becoming a father.
It’s a cute story, and a good little script with lots of chuckles. I totally give it 4 stars. I’d give it 5, but those are reserved for real classics. I don’t think this film has 50-year classic stamped on it, but it sure is a hoot.
