The Truth About ‘Despicable Me 4’: A No-Holds-Barred Review

INTRODUCTION

We’ve been waiting forever for this! Seriously, the wait between Despicable Me movies has been torture! Three years for the first sequel, four for the next, and then they hit us with a seven-year drought!

But the good news is, the wait is finally OVER! Despicable Me 4 is here to save the day (or at least provide some much-needed laughs). This animated comedy masterpiece is the fourth main movie in the series, but let’s be real, it’s the one we’ve all been waiting for as so is every new sequel.

Illumination has surpassed $10 billion in global box office earnings with Despicable Me 4 leading the charge while three Illumination films have grossed over $1 billion, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage (making his feature film debut!), this movie stars Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Sofía Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Chris Renaud, Madison Polan, Dana Gaier, Chloe Fineman, and Will Ferrell.

Despicable Me 4 was released in the United States on July 3 and it runs for 1 hour, 36 minutes.

WHAT IS DESPICABLE ME 4 ABOUT? PLOT/ SYNOPSIS

Gru, the reformed supervillain turned suburban dad, gets a flashback to his glory days.

It’s a high school reunion, and who shows up but his arch-nemesis, Maxime Le Mal, the guy who’s the school bully, but with a penchant for evil schemes. Turns out, Maxime’s been busy.

He’s turned himself into a human cockroach and has world domination on his mind.

Gru, being the good guy now (kind of), teams up with the Anti-Villain League (AVL), which is like the villain police, to put a stop to Maxime’s bug-eyed ambitions.

Maxime escapes, grabs his villainous girlfriend, and they hatch a plan to turn Gru’s tiny, adorable baby into a human-roach hybrid.

To keep Gru and his family safe, the AVL decides to relocate them to a boring, upscale town. It’s like exile, but with better schools. While they’re packing up, the AVL also decides to give the Minions superpowers.

Yeah, as expected, that’s a recipe for disaster. They turn into tiny, destructive tornadoes. The AVL quickly realizes their mistake and shuts down the experiment before they level the city.

In their new, totally un-villain-friendly neighborhood, the Gru family meets their new neighbors, the Prescotts. Their teenage daughter, Poppy, is a wannabe villain with a serious attitude.

She recognizes Gru from his evil days and blackmails him into helping her steal the school mascot, a honey badger named Lenny.

Things go downhill from there. The school principal, who’s got more secrets than a spy, figures out Gru’s identity and teams up with Maxime. Suddenly, Gru and his family are on the run again, and the Minions are probably causing chaos somewhere. It’s a classic case of “from suburban bliss to running for your life” – and we haven’t even mentioned the baby-turned-roach situation yet.

You just have to watch.

MY THOUGHTS ON DESPICABLE ME 4

When you watch Despicable Me, you’re expected to laugh. You might not enjoy the movie in totality but you must laugh. It has become a norm.

“Despicable Me 4,” brings back the fun and humor that fans love. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, the movie has enough humor and action to keep everyone entertained.

The Minions, as always, are hilarious and steal the show with their silly antics and funny chatter even though I felt they did not have as much screen time as they usually had.

Despicable Me 4 is a fun animation, much like herding a thousand tiny yellow troublemakers.

While the film undoubtedly delivers the laughs, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the overall experience.

Let’s start with the good stuff:

CHARACTER PERFORMANCES

Steve Carell, the voice behind the iconic Gru, is in top form. He effortlessly slips back into the role, delivering a performance that’s both hilarious and heartwarming.

The addition of The Princess (2022) star Joey King as Poppy Prescott helps the film too, and the entire Gru family, including the ever-charming Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, continues to steal scenes.

However, the villainous duo of Maxime Le Mal and Valentina, voiced by Will Ferrell and Sofia Vergara respectively, felt like a missed opportunity. Compared to the deliciously wicked villains of previous films, they simply didn’t leave a lasting impression.

And while Dr. Nefario is a beloved character, his mere cameo appearance felt like a tease, leaving fans craving more of his mad scientist genius.

Now, let’s talk about the Minions. Oh, the Minions. The tiny yellow chaos agents managed to capture the hearts of the entire theater, especially the adorable 5-year-old sitting behind me who seemed to vibrate with excitement every time they appeared on screen.

It was a heartwarming reminder of the pure joy that these little creatures can bring.

I found myself thoroughly entertained by the entire film, but Gru Jr. stole the show for me. His mischievous charm and adorable antics had me laughing.

VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

The animation in “Despicable Me 4” is top-notch. The characters are expressive and full of life, and the vibrant colors make the movie visually appealing. The different settings, from Gru’s new neighborhood to the various locations he and his family visit, are beautifully designed and detailed.

The cinematography helps enhance the action scenes, making them exciting and fun to watch. Overall, the visual design of the movie is a treat for the eyes.

WRITING STYLE AND STORY

The story of “Despicable Me 4” is entertaining but not groundbreaking. The plot revolves around Gru adjusting to a new neighborhood with his family and dealing with his mischievous infant son, Gru Jr.

The screenplay has its moments but sometimes feels disjointed.

The film is without true depth which is expected as this is an animation and is meant for the younger audience but it leaves more to be desired.

It is also noticeable that the movie was written by two writers and these writers have different styles, which can make the movie feel uneven. Despite this, the film manages to deliver plenty of laughs and keeps the audience engaged with its humor and action.

THEMES

“Despicable Me 4” explores themes of family, change, and adaptation. Gru’s journey with his son, Gru Jr., highlights the ups and downs of parenthood and the importance of family bonds.

The movie also touches on the idea of adapting to new environments and situations, as Gru and his family navigate their new neighborhood and face new challenges.

These themes add depth to the story and make it more relatable for viewers of all ages.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, “Despicable Me 4” is a fun and family-friendly movie that offers a good time, despite its familiarity and lack of innovation.

The voice performances are strong, the animation is beautiful, and the humor is plentiful.

While the story may not reach the heights of the earlier films in the series, it still provides enough entertainment and laughs to make it worth watching.

Fans of the franchise will enjoy seeing Gru and the Minions back in action. If you’re looking for a light-hearted and enjoyable movie experience, “Despicable Me 4” is a great choice.

People also watch – Inside Out 2 (2024).

The image used in this work belongs to the respective movie and its copyright holders. We do not claim any legal rights or ownership over this image, and we appreciate the movie’s creators for sharing such a captivating visual.

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