Three years after their first adventure, Gru and the gangs are back for more action. But the first movie was not exactly well-loved in terms of the critical acclaimed (despite having 81% Rotten Tomatoes, it only managed to score 6.8 out of 10). However, it did enough to position itself as the unexpected runaway hit that put the newcomer Illumination Entertainment onto the map and amazingly the movie even became a notable entry into the new modern pop-culture. The recent weeks saw a high interest and phenomenal fever catching up with the frequent uses over words like banana, potato, minions and “bidobido”; a certain proof that the franchise is indeed very popular nowadays. Of course, those yellow minions do have their charms and attraction. But the main question remains to be solved in this review is – did popularity and charms of the minions help this Despicable Me sequel?
The answer is yes, mostly. Despicable Me 2 is a decent sequel animation, the one that builds around the plot on a regular basis like how it did with its predecessor. By using the same formula of having adorable characters like the minions or Agnes, workable slapstick humours (but not too toilet and possess harm for children) and colourful-riddance-fun; the sequel works deservedly well to deliver quality family entertainment in a time when good animations are scarce (the author has yet to watch Monster University at the time of blogging). Everything seems to be installed and the director-duo of Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud merely work around this sequel with minimal effort. So, with those being some of the ingredients, that make this a successful recipe> But the plot depends on other materials to work too. There are some elements of heartfelt and light presented both as becoming so silly yet so funny and simple to endeavor. How much can we the adults complaint, as long as the kids do enjoy it.
Even with excellent notes aforementioned, I find it difficult to shake some of the hiccups in the movie. Been simple does not warrant a movie to go too thin on the plot – a problem I think will not reward anything more towards the complexity of the story. Also, I feel that some elements are relatively missing in this movie. While Gru tries to move on with his life and to hang his villainous misdemeanor for good, the word ‘despicable’ on the title betrays the spirit of this movie. Again, it almost feels like this sequel, like any others, is trying desperately at times to go on par with the greatness of the predecessor. Despite all of those shortcomings, Despicable Me 2 still delivers the jobs it meant to be and to stay relevant on its expanding pop-culture.
In this sequel, Gru (Steve Carrell) decides to hang his villain coat and to dedicate his attention to his adopted children – Margo, Edith and Agnes; and to his floundering jelly business. But when a research facility in Arctic which holds the greatest biological weapon that could threaten the world is stolen by an unknown villain group, the Anti-Villain League turns to Gru for help. As part of the coveted assignment, Gru will pairs with Lucy (Kirsten Wiig), a bubbly-yet-wacky AVL agent to find the one who is responsible behind the theft.
In the end, Despicable Me 2 is a crispy and decent animation sequel that works in delivering a quality family entertainment with its adorable characters, simple-albeit thin plot and workable slapstick humours.
Genre: Animation/Comedy
Classification: U
Release Date: 4 July 2013
Running Time: 98 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
Screenplay: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul
Starring: Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Moises Arias, Steve Coogan, Ken Jeong, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Plot: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2.
Classification: U
Release Date: 4 July 2013
Running Time: 98 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Director: Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
Screenplay: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul
Starring: Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Moises Arias, Steve Coogan, Ken Jeong, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Plot: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2.
The answer is yes, mostly. Despicable Me 2 is a decent sequel animation, the one that builds around the plot on a regular basis like how it did with its predecessor. By using the same formula of having adorable characters like the minions or Agnes, workable slapstick humours (but not too toilet and possess harm for children) and colourful-riddance-fun; the sequel works deservedly well to deliver quality family entertainment in a time when good animations are scarce (the author has yet to watch Monster University at the time of blogging). Everything seems to be installed and the director-duo of Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud merely work around this sequel with minimal effort. So, with those being some of the ingredients, that make this a successful recipe> But the plot depends on other materials to work too. There are some elements of heartfelt and light presented both as becoming so silly yet so funny and simple to endeavor. How much can we the adults complaint, as long as the kids do enjoy it.
Even with excellent notes aforementioned, I find it difficult to shake some of the hiccups in the movie. Been simple does not warrant a movie to go too thin on the plot – a problem I think will not reward anything more towards the complexity of the story. Also, I feel that some elements are relatively missing in this movie. While Gru tries to move on with his life and to hang his villainous misdemeanor for good, the word ‘despicable’ on the title betrays the spirit of this movie. Again, it almost feels like this sequel, like any others, is trying desperately at times to go on par with the greatness of the predecessor. Despite all of those shortcomings, Despicable Me 2 still delivers the jobs it meant to be and to stay relevant on its expanding pop-culture.
In this sequel, Gru (Steve Carrell) decides to hang his villain coat and to dedicate his attention to his adopted children – Margo, Edith and Agnes; and to his floundering jelly business. But when a research facility in Arctic which holds the greatest biological weapon that could threaten the world is stolen by an unknown villain group, the Anti-Villain League turns to Gru for help. As part of the coveted assignment, Gru will pairs with Lucy (Kirsten Wiig), a bubbly-yet-wacky AVL agent to find the one who is responsible behind the theft.
In the end, Despicable Me 2 is a crispy and decent animation sequel that works in delivering a quality family entertainment with its adorable characters, simple-albeit thin plot and workable slapstick humours.
MY RATING:
Story: 3.5
Casts: 4.5
Cinematography: 4.5
Effects: 4.5
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 15.8/20.0
