I'd rate this film on about the same level as the first.

Rating: 6/10 (10 July 2013)

'DESPICABLE ME 2': Three Stars (Out of Five)
Sequel to the 2010 hit animated film about an evil criminal mastermind named Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) working with an army of minions in a plot to steal the moon. He has a change of heart when he befriends three orphan girls. The sequel begins with Gru now a family man, raising the three girls, and working as a legitimate businessman trying to produce jam. That all changes when he's recruited by the Anti-Villain league to help stop a new powerful supervillain. The film was once again directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud and written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. It features the voice talents of Russell Brand and Miranda Cosgrove, reprising their roles from the original film, and Kristen Wiig and Ken Jeong are back as well (but playing different, bigger parts than they did in the first film). Steve Coogan joins the cast this time as well and Benjamin Bratt voices the main villain (who was originally voiced by Al Pacino but he dropped out of the film because of 'creative differences'). The movie is about as clever and amusing as the first; if you enjoyed that film you're almost sure to enjoy this one as well.
The film opens with the theft of a secret Arctic laboratory (by a flying vehicle using a magnet). A chemical, which mutates ordinary animals into viscous killing creatures, was inside the lab so naturally the Anti-Villain league (AVL) is concerned. They turn to Gru (Carell) for help. AVL agent Lucy Wilde (Wiig) abducts Gru from his home and transports him to the secret underwater AVL base. Once there Gru meets the AVL league director, Silas Ramsbottom (Coogan), who informs him of the laboratory heist and asks him for his help catching the supervillain responsible for it. Gru initially rejects their request but later decides to help the AVL after all. He's teamed with Agent Wilde and of course romance blossoms.
The movie (like the original) captures that old style cartoon feel well. It was made on a budget of just $76 million. Compared to other big animated films that's pretty low and compared to how much money it's making that makes it a hugely profitable film (like the first)! Do I think it deserves it's humongous blockbuster success? No but I don't think any of the kids' animated films out today like this do. This one is at least better than average; It's funny (at times) and Carell and the rest of the cast are good in their parts. The minions are a little too gimmicky for me but they're funny at times as well. I'd rate this film on about the same level as the first, I'd have to watch the original again to say if it's better (because I don't completely remember it) but it's definitely a decent crowd pleasing sequel.
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