“Despicable Me 4,” the latest installment from Illumination Entertainment, has arrived in theaters, bringing with it the familiar chaos and charm of the Minions and their supervillain-turned-hero leader, Gru. Directed by Chris Renaud and co-directed by Patrick Delage, this sequel aims to continue the franchise’s legacy of light-hearted, slapstick humor.
Since their debut in 2010, the Minions have become a cultural phenomenon, contributing to the franchise’s $4.6 billion box office success. Their quirky language, a mix of gibberish and borrowed words from various languages, continues to evolve in “Despicable Me 4,” adding terms like “antipasti” and “bazooka” to their comedic repertoire. Despite the Minions’ evolution, the film itself remains comfortably predictable, offering a fun but forgettable experience akin to a Saturday morning cartoon.
In “Despicable Me 4,” Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) finds himself balancing his dual roles as a family man and an agent for the Anti-Villain League. The plot kicks off with Gru attending a school reunion for the Lycée Pas Bon School of Villainy, where he encounters his old rival, Maxime le Mal (Will Ferrell). Maxime, a cockroach-obsessed villain with a French accent, soon escapes from prison, forcing Gru and his family into witness protection.
This setup leads to several amusing scenarios, including Gru attempting to fit in with his new neighbors while maintaining his supervillain demeanor. One of the film’s highlights is the introduction of Gru Jr., whose antics provide fresh comedic material, such as the Minions changing his diapers with a T-shirt gun. However, these moments can feel overly familiar, echoing scenes from other animated films like “The Incredibles 2.”
The narrative quickly shifts gears from family comedy to heist adventure, with Gru being blackmailed by Poppy Prescott (Joey King) into stealing a honey badger from his old school. Meanwhile, the Minions undergo an experiment at the Anti-Villain League headquarters, transforming into Mega Minions with superhero-like powers. This subplot allows for more slapstick humor, as the Minions struggle to control their newfound abilities.
Despite the chaotic plot, “Despicable Me 4” retains the franchise’s hallmark silliness and avoids taking itself too seriously. The film’s strength lies in its ability to deliver consistent laughs through its zany characters and slapstick sequences. While the storylines may be jumbled and the gags occasionally repetitive, the film’s carefree spirit ensures it remains entertaining for its target audience.
Series veterans Mike White and Ken Daurio return as writers, maintaining the series’ blend of humor and heart. The voice cast, led by Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig, delivers strong performances, with new additions like Will Ferrell and Joey King bringing fresh energy to the ensemble.
“Despicable Me 4” may not break new ground, but it doesn’t need to. The film’s charm lies in its familiar formula of fun and laughter, providing a delightful escape for families and fans of the franchise. With its colorful animation, endearing characters, and relentless humor, “Despicable Me 4” proves that the Minions and their misadventures still have plenty of life left in them.
“Despicable Me 4,” a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for action and rude humor. Running time: 95 minutes. Two stars out of four.
Source: APNews
