With kids being out of school during the summer, they are willing to take their parents to any movie that’s targeted to that demographic. But when there’s a Despicable Me in the name, all other movies won’t matter. And it’s because of all kids will fall over those tiny yellow Minions, and go to Target to buy a plush toy.
Gru (voiced by Steve Carrell) is now a good guy as he’s now married to Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig) and still loves his three daughters. He learns that he has a long-lost twin brother named Dru (Steve Carell also) who wants to team up with him for a final criminal heist as he also must find a way to stop the evil Balthazar Bratt (voiced by Trey Parker).
I really enjoyed the first two movies from 2010 and 2013 as I think they’re hilarious especially when the element of a bad guy turning good. But the Minions spin-off was a total misstep in the series thus far as it wasn’t a movie that they can carry. But I was kind of excited to hear there’s going to be the third movie because I’m more interested in this than Cars 3. Sadly, Despicable Me 3 was disappointing, to say the least.
It’s perfectly fine for kids to enjoy because it’s becoming a franchise that any kid is loving that’s not with Pixar and Dreamworks. Even the two predecessors as that fun for adults to get onboard, but it didn’t connect with me if it’s just jokes every five minutes. The film still follows that three-act structure that’s been played out.
Carrell always carries these films on his shoulders because he’s funny as Gru. Providing the voices of both Gru and Dru, it provides good reactions. Plus, of course, they added the twin sibling storyline.
There weren’t any real emotional moments to be found. At least the first two movies, the family element really worked with Gru’s change of personality evolved. Dru talked about how his father was disappointed in him, and Gru with his mother. That should’ve been some connection as it would give levity to the characters more. But it’s pretty much glossed over quickly.
Trey Parker of South Park fame as Balthazar Bratt was hands down the scene stealer in the entire movie. This villain was once an ‘80s child star who famed shut down because he hit purity. Now he turned to villainy with his shoulder pads and moonwalks at any given chance. Any moment when he’s on screen, I actually pay attention. I even liked the ’80s surrounding only because it intrigues me and makes for good humor. Probably my favorite villain of the franchise by far.
The problems are that this wasn’t as funny than before. There were times where I did laugh when it came from Balthazar and/or Agnus (who’s still SO adorable). Nothing made me laugh hard as this relied on slapstick humor that didn’t work for me. Even the adult humor wasn’t that clever to be funny. The Minions didn’t incorporate the hilarity that I liked them from before. They weren’t the worse part of the film, but they had nothing to do. Hate to say but it’s becoming fatigue at this point. And the story really doesn’t have a real focus on what’s happening whether it’s Gru and Dru, Lucy trying to get the girls’ to like her, the Minions on their side adventure or Balthazar’s plan. The idea of Gru having a twin brother sounded like it was going to really fun with the both of them partake in some wacky shenanigans.
Am I tired of this franchise? Not yet. But it’s a product that I’m getting used to. If this was a better story, it would’ve resulted in a better movie. Everything was crumbled together to make a number three. As this summer doesn’t have too much to offer for animation entertainment, this is at least tolerable because it’s not Emoji Movie or The Nut Job 2.
Illumination Entertainment personally needs more effort into their movies as sometimes it ends up not being memorable as I only like the first two movies and The Lorax. Everything else is blah. Also, I wish they don’t put the Minions at the beginning of the studio logo.
Despicable Me 3 is relatively fun for fans of the franchise. However, the much anticipated third installment felt sort of jumbled.
Grade: C+
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