“Despicable Me 2” is a direct sequel to the first film. This time, former super villain Gru (Steve Carell- “The Office” ) now a father to 3 children is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help stop a new super criminal. Along with Agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig- “SNL”), the two must put a stop to the new villain before they can take over the world.
The first film focused mainly on Gru’s accidental relationship to his three adopted children, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove- “ICARLY”), Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher) and Edith (Dana Gaier) and how he grew to love them as a family he never had, also while trying to steal the moon (AMAZING PLOT!).
The sequel expands on the relationship of Gru and his daughters, but leans more-so on trying to complete the family, and Gru meeting the love of his life.
This is the biggest problem I have with the movie, mainly on the question of why?
Why does Gru have to fall in love now?
Why does there need to be a mother figure added to their family? Why does Gru suck as a character now? The first question was sarcastic of course, because it gives the second film a plot obviously.
However, the other two really come into play as the movie progresses.
I’m fine with a movie having its plot revolving their family becoming whole with a mother,father, and children, but it raises personal questions and makes the film way too predictable. While the film went along, I really became disinterested in the characters. This may be do to the fact that the ending of the movie was really predictable, and I was more focused on the action rather than the characters.
Which is odd since I loved Gru’s story in the first film. Which got me thinking what changed? Answer was easy, in this film Gru becomes domesticated. He’s no longer that super villain bent on committing crimes and being a jerk to everyone (which made him interesting in the first film).
In the sequel, he’s just focusing on being a good dad to his kids while dealing with people he doesn’t like. The only time he reverts back to his old ways is when he realizes his oldest daughter is now into boys. Which goes into some great moments, and also results in a real, yet humorous ending.
The story for Despicable Me 2 seemed to be all over the place. The plot is mainly Gru and Agent Lucy trying to find and stop the mysterious new villain, but the focus remained on Gru’s life. His neighbor’s trying to hook him up with any female with two legs. He’s dealing with one of his daughters learning about boys.
Finally, having to deal with the somewhat insane yet generally nice Agent Lucy. All while trying to find a super villain. That’s not to say it doesn’t work. Sure there’s a lot of sub plots in this movie, but they all seem to have a nice flow and the humor is definitely there in every scene.
Unlike Monsters U, Despicable Me 2 goes the slapstick route with their comedy. Why not? It works within their world perfectly. The spy/super villain world with the addition of some partially insane characters, and who knows what the hell the minions are made up of makes the cartoon violence work perfectly.
Obviously, I can’t go any further without mentioning the minions. Once again, they steal the show. Their actions, expressions, and dialogue consisting of utter gibberish is the must needed kick in the butt this movie needed. The subplots of one of them having a crush on Agent Lucy, to the results of them getting kidnapped as well as a highly organized musical number (they revive one of the best hits from 1994 i swear to ya) generated the most laughs from kids to adults.
Truly everyone loves the minions. Which is great because a minions movie is due to come out by next year (according to imdb.com).
All in all, Despicable Me 2 is a good sequel to the first film. It’s way too predictable, but the comedy is more than enough of a reason to see it. Like Monsters U it is fun for both kids and adults.
I give it 3 out of 4.