Who doesn’t love Despicable Me? Certainly not I – the
previous film was one of biggest delights of the summer of 2010 and Gru is back
for 2013: no objections here. As with all sequels a little of the magic is
lost, but in a classic Hollywood move Despicable Me 2 (and the upcoming feature
spin off Minions) gives us more of what we liked, here we get more minions: and
what weird and wonderful little worker bees they are. They do it all from
tending to household matters around Gru’s house (including tending to Gru’s
adopted daughters Margo, Edith and Agnes) to running his new legit business –
jams. They also later surface in a complete act of subversion performing as The
Village People.
Despicable Me 2, like the first one is a rare animated film
that’s worth seeing in 3D (now if only that roller coaster ride from the first
one was in DBox as well as 3D….although I have some issues with DBox, but those
stem from the fact we at the Buffalo Movie Blog see lots of movies) – opening
with a heist at the Arctic Circle, Gru (Steve Carell) is called upon by Agent
Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) of the Anti-Villain League (and her boss – Agent
Ramsbottom – a perfect Steve Coogan) to investigate a secret chemical that’s
gone missing and has been located at a megamall. Gru is sent undercover as the
owner of a sweets shop, Bake My Day.
The story progresses pretty much as you may imagine with
some nice visual gags, but those damn minions are were the action is at. I
almost wish kids movies would just continue with silly gags and forgo the plot
(then again that’s all kinds of dangerous – ever see that TV show Family Guy?).
Also delightful is Gru’s domestic life – including his stint as Gru-ella, a
ferry princess at little Agnes’ birthday. Some of the best gags you’ve seen in
the trailers, but there’s more where that came from: director’s Pierre Coffin
and Chris Renaud, along with screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio keep the
energy level up for the film’s whole running time right to the closing credits (which
contain another great 3D gag like the first one did).
Despicable Me 2 works, even it takes a break from the fun
for the plot- and even those moments have some nice visual gags and minions.
Those little guys could do anything and I’d have a smile on my face.
Screening: Dipson Market Arcade, AMC Maple Ridge, Dipson Flix, Regal Elmwood, Regal Quaker Crossing, Regal Walden Galleria, Regal Transit, Regal Hollywood, Transit Drive In, Palace Hamburg
