MARCUS CHEONG finds Gru’s latest outing doesn’t match the emotion pull of the first two films in the franchise…
Despicable Me 4 (AU – PG/UK – U/US – PG)
In a Word: Frenetic
Gru Jr, Gru (Steve Carell), Poppy Prescott (Joey King) and Minions (Pierre Coffin) in ‘Despicable Me 4’, directed by Chris Renaud. PICTURE: © Universal Pictures
Since 2010, Gru and his Minions have charmed their way onto the screen six times – with four Despicable Me’s and two Minions movies. The secret to their success has been a combination of cuteness, super-powered action and heartwarming family values.
In the original movie, super villain Gru (Steve Carell) has his icy heart melted as he adopts three orphan girls. The sequel brings romance to Gru when he falls in love with Anti-Villain League agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig). The third movie introduced Gru’s long lost twin brother. And in this latest outing, a brand new baby is brought into the family.
“The heart of this franchise has always revolved around the family values that Gru gradually learns. This time the arc is about Gru bonding with his baby son. It is cute enough but lacks the genuine heartstrings that were pulled in the first two films.”
Gru, now using his powers for good as an Anti-Villain agent, is pitted against the cockroach empowered super villain Maxime Le Mal (Will Farrell) who pledges revenge on Gru and his family.
To keep everyone safe, the family is relocated to a new neighbourhood with new identities and now the family’s greatest challenge is to fit in with normal suburban life. Meanwhile, the minions are transformed with a super serum spoofing movies like X-Men, Fantastic Four and The Avengers. Their slapstick antics are literally powered up to create more mayhem and destruction.
The pace of the film is frenetic, with the kooky ensemble of characters, hyperbolic drama, musical moments and slapstick shenanigans. It is designed for the youngest of audiences to laugh out loud at the antics with enough cultural references to keep the adults smiling.
The heart of this franchise has always revolved around the family values that Gru gradually learns. This time the arc is about Gru bonding with his baby son. It is cute enough but lacks the genuine heartstrings that were pulled in the first two films.
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Despicable Me arrived at the perfect time 14 years ago to ride the wave of the super hero craze. The refreshing anti hero was able to both parody and capitalise on the fascination with all things super. But now that audiences are beginning to tire of the genre, how much longer can Gru and his minions keep audiences interested?
If Despicable Me 4 is any indication, there is still a little more life left in the franchise. The name is less appropriate now that Gru and his family are now firmly on the side of good not villainy. But there is still fun to be had in this formula of action, comedy, heart and minion powered madness.
