Bad love – Despicable Me 2 review

By Jess Lomas
June 18, 2013

It used to be that animated sequels went straight to home video. Now, they’re the most reliable money-spinners in cinemas. Back in 2010, Despicable Me showed us that a would-be evil villain, intent on stealing the moon, could be foiled by three orphan girls thrust into his life. In Despicable Me 2, Gru (Steve Carell) is back, seemingly on top of his parental duties caring for Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and the ridiculously cute Agnes (Elsie Fisher). No longer planning to take over the world, Gru’s days are filled throwing princess birthday parties and putting his minions, as well as Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), to work making jams and jellies.

Gru’s new lease on life captures the attention of the Anti Villain League, and sees him recruited and paired up with secret agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig). Working undercover at the local mall’s cupcake shop, the duo is tasked with recovering a stolen mutation-causing serum and bringing the perpetrator to justice. Their number one suspect is plump and jovial Mexican restaurant proprietor Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt), who Gru believes holds a striking similarity to the presumed-deceased villain El Macho.

Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud are both back for Despicable Me 2, as are original screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. The film benefits from the reunion of talents, but ultimately lacks the originality of the first instalment. Thankfully, it’s saved from the somewhat pedestrian storyline by the comedic timing, brilliant voice work, and Gru’s minion army who consistently invite laughter. It’s no surprise the yellow creatures have their own spin-off set for release in 2014; they are the life of this franchise, and Coffin and Renaud make use of their silliness and lovability from the very opening, right to the closing credits.

Whereas the original picture proposed Gru wasn’t complete without a family, the sequel tackles the issue of romance – more specifically, the lack of it – in Gru’s life. The pairing of Gru and Lucy is obvious yet satisfying and leads to one of the flick’s finest moments, involving a minion rendition of I Swear. Despicable Me 2 doesn’t pack any true surprises in, but is a charming and thoroughly joyful family movie that optimises 3-D well and keeps a hold of young attention spans.

3.5/5

Despicable Me 2 arrives in Australian cinemas June 20, 2013.