Despicable Me 2 maintains the colourful animation and zany characters from its predecessor, but loses memorability.

Rating: 6/10 (28 February 2018)

If you've been reading my reviews like a good follower, you'll know I'm not a fan of Illumination studios. A mass marketing animation group who clearly milked the first successful film they created. And here we are with its sequel. Gru is recruited by the 'Anti Villain League' to stop an evil villain from unleashing a serum that turns anything into a weird monster-like purple maniac. Meanwhile, his adopted girls try to play matchmaker and find him a girlfriend. A consistent sequel is one would ask for, and fortunately we received it. Returning cast members, directors and script writers resulted in a perfectly good animation that all the family can enjoy. Well...somewhat enjoy. This main plot is unfocussed in comparison to the first instalment, trying to balance a "save the world" situation with kindling a romance did not always work effectively. The two plots occasionally blended but the main plot seemed to be the love story as opposed to the former which ultimately left me underwhelmed. The villain was memorable atleast albeit his world domination plan was underdeveloped. Steve Carrell and the returning voice actors clearly had fun, and I consistently smile when he says "girls"...it's more like "guuurlz!". Kristen Wiig was a welcomed newcomer and a definite highlight to this sequel. The animation was fluid, vibrant and always colourful. At times, the film felt like a music video for all of Pharrell Williams' songs, and if I have to hear 'Happy' one more time I will shove a minion up Illumination's...*cough* you get the idea. The minions provide slapstick humour aimed more towards the younger viewers, they are still annoying as ever hoisting fart guns and singing songs incomprehensibly but what can you do...just go with it. Liked the countless film references, a minion screaming and pointing reminiscent of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' did make me smile. A fun light watch that is no where near as good as the first.