Despicable Me 4 has a new twist on the adventures of Gru, the former supervillain. The film features Steve Carell’s iconic voice as Gru, a storyline with witness protection, a new villain and of course, the Minions.
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Despicable Me 4 is the sixth overall when including the Minions spin-offs. Released by Illumination Entertainment, this film attempts to keep the franchise alive by introducing new plot elements and characters.
Gru is voiced by Steve Carell, Gru is now reformed and working for the Anti-Villain League (AVL). Lucy, Gru’s wife is voiced by Kristen Wiig who continues her role as an AVL agent.
Minions are voiced by Pierre Coffin, they are central to the humor of the film. New characters are Maxime Le Mal, a villain from Gru’s past played by Will Ferrell and Poppy, a curious neighbor voiced by Joey King.
Despicable Me 4 kicks off with Gru attending a reunion at his old supervillain school, Lycée Pas Bon located in a picturesque mountain castle in Europe.
Gru faces Maxime Le Mal, an old nemesis who possesses a weapon that can turn mammals into cockroaches.
Following an attack by Maxime, Gru and his family enter a witness protection program adopting new identities and moving to a quiet suburban neighborhood.
Gru, now known as Chet, and Lucy, as Blanche struggle to adapt to their mundane new life, while their children face their own challenges in adjusting.
Silas Ramsbottom voiced by Steve Coogan introduces new biotech that enhances the Minions turning them into crime-fighting superheroes.
The children, Margo, Edith, and Agnes each face their own challenges in their new environment. The Minions play a important role in the film’s humor especially in non-English-speaking regions.
The central theme revolves around identity and adaptation as Gru and his family adjust to their new life while hiding from Maxime.
The Minions’ evolution into superheroes introduces a new dimension to their characters, the franchise’s focus on slapstick and nonverbal humor.
The Minions continue to be a major source of humor with their nonsensical language and chaotic behavior providing comic relief.
Gru’s attempts to fit into suburban life while maintaining his secret identity lead to several humorous situations.
Maxime’s character adds a darkly comedic element particularly with his cockroach transformation weapon.
Despicable Me 4 maintains high animation standards with great visuals and detailed character designs. The action scenes those involving the Minions and Maxime’s weapon are well-executed and add excitement to the film.
Pharrell Williams returns to contribute to the soundtrack by adding catchy tunes that enhance the film’s appeal.
The franchise struggles to introduce new ideas or expand on its characters in meaningful ways. The overarching plot feels repetitive with a predictable villain of the week structure that lacks depth.
New additions to the cast such as Maxime le Mal (Will Ferrell) and Poppy (Joey King) fail to leave an impact. These characters feel underdeveloped.
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The second act of the film tends to drag making it a convenient time for a break if you’re not particularly fond of the Minions’ subplot.
“Despicable Me 4” is ideal for families with young children who will undoubtedly enjoy the colorful animation and slapstick humor.
For those seeking a more engaging plot or character development this may fall short of expectations.
Despicable Me 4 follows Gru and the Minions as they go through new adventures involving a new family dynamic with the introduction of Gru Jr.
Despite exploring Gru’s relationship with his first male child, the story quickly reverts to a villain-centric narrative.
The screenplay prioritizes jokes and visual gags over a story leading to a series of comedic sketches rather than a unified plot.
The familiar formula of the franchise remains intact focusing on entertaining younger audiences with humor and visuals.
Kristen Wiig along with the supporting cast provides solid performances. The voice acting enhances the characters’ personalities making them more relatable and entertaining.
Joey King stands out as Poppy, a character that treads the line between amusing and annoying but manages to stay likable.
Will Ferrell’s Maxime le Mal channels a Mugatu-like energy from “Zoolander” though the character lacks the depth to be a memorable villain.
The score complements the action sequences and emotional moments. The inclusion of popular music tracks adds a fun, karaoke-like element to the movie.
Despicable Me 4 received mixed reception with some praising its consistency and humor, while others criticized its lack of innovation and reliance on familiar tropes.
Many reviewers said that while the film is entertaining but it lacks the charm and originality of the first Despicable Me movie.
Despicable Me 4 successfully delivers family-friendly entertainment with a mix of humor, action and heartwarming moments.
The characters particularly Gru and Lucy continue to develop in meaningful ways keeping the story engaging.
The Minions remain a key factor in the film’s success, appealing to both children and international audiences.
Despicable Me 4 relies heavily on established tropes and fails to introduce new elements. The multiple subplots can make the film feel disjointed.
The storyline follows a predictable pattern with few surprises or twists to keep the audience fully engaged.
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