Despicable Me 2

Rating: 7/10 (14 July 2013)

The first computer animated film, released around the same time as nearly similar Megamind, was a lot of fun and a great success, so a sequel seemed inevitable, and this of course was going to continue where the story left off. Basically former super villain Gru (Steve Carell) has settled into his new life as a father figure looking after the three girls he adopted previously, orphans Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), and making an honest living making and selling jams. Meanwhile a secret laboratory in the Arctic has been stolen by an unknown villain, so the Anti-Villain League (AVL) wants to recruit Gru to go undercover and investigate to find the main reason the lab was stolen, a mutating chemical compound, PX-41, that can turn living things into indestructible destructive monsters. He at first refuses, but changes his mind knowing the jam being produced by the Minions tastes disgusting, and his research scientist Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) leaves him admitting he misses being evil and trying to take over the world, and he is partnered with eccentric but efficient enough AVL agent Lucy Wilde (Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig). They find a chemical scent has been coming from The Paradise Shopping Mall, and Gru recognises mall restaurant owner Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt) may in fact be thought-to-be-dead super villain El Macho, who was last seen near an active volcano before disappearing. He becomes Gru's prime suspect, but his judgement may be overshadowed by his dislike of the relationship between Margo and Eduardo's son Antonio (Moises Arias), and his over-protectiveness is making his suspicions unconvincing for the AVL, and he is slowly developing feelings for Lucy. Meanwhile the Minions are slowly being kidnapped and subjected to the PX-41 mutagen, and they are turning from yellow lovable characters into purple and furry monsters that will eat and destroy anything, while their leader is humiliated and dropped as recruited investigator, with his credibility damaged. Gru is proved right about his theory with Eduardo being El Macho, an antidote is developed by a returned Dr. Nefario which will instantly revive all the turned Minions, El Macho is defeated being turned into a purple monster and taken away, and having established their love for each other Gru and Lucy get married. Also starring Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom, Nasim Pedrad as Jillian and Ken Jeong as Floyd. As before Carell is really funny with his crazy James Bond style villain accent, Wiig is a good new addition as his bonkers but fun love interest, and Brand gets his small moments as the weird scientist. The story seeing the former villain going back to his routes is filled with plenty of action and laughs, he may not be trying to steal the Moon or have any other mad plot, but he remains the same grouchy character, the love story is nice, and all scenes featuring the yellow pill shaped Minions are so much fun, with their gobbledygook language being used hilariously during song "Y.M.C.A." and "I Swear", it is a funny and enjoyable family animated comedy. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and Best Song for "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Animated Film, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film. Very good!