Enjoyable and Cute

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2012)

I admit, I'm not the biggest fan of the current CG animated style, and based on that, outside of the occasional Pixar film, I don't always give new animated films a chance. I know I shouldn't think this way, but part of me can't help but lament the move away from the classic cel animation of the Disney era. I'm here to say this is one of the films I was wrong for neglecting.
I won't describe the plot, but once you read it for yourself it's pretty easy to see what direction the movie is headed in. Sadly, it's nothing new, but does that mean the film is not worth seeing at all? Absolutely not.
The film has a lot of laughs, and is also really cute, both the little girls and Gru's minions. Steve Carell does a good job here, and the voice actors for the kids are endearing. If there's one thing that I didn't like, something that tends to bug me in any animated movie, are the dance numbers to some techno/hip hop beat. There's a couple here, and yes they're bright and whimsical and kids will no doubt enjoy them, but I never really saw the point in them. I'm sure there's another joke that could be used in it's place, but it's not hugely detrimental to the film.
All in all, I'm happy I finally got around to watching this film. It was funny, cute, and I'll probably end up seeing the sequel on opening night.