"Despicable Me" – See it with your favorite minions.

Rating: 7/10 (9 July 2010)

They are never going stop, are they? Kids' movies, that is. Hollywood is going to keep churning them out year after year until one day someone stands up to say, "I think we have had just about enough pandering to this market. The jokes have been cut, edited, rehashed, and remixed to fit every possible demographic. We have taken the imagery and 3D format to an all-time high. Let this sleeping dog lie for a while and go focus our efforts elsewhere." I don't see it happening any time soon and I only saw a glimpse of the standard kids' movie formula deviating slightly in "Despicable Me." We are introduced to Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), the film's protagonist/ antagonist, right after a major landmark goes missing. The audience is supposed to deduce that Gru has a history of being an evil genius. No real example of his evil doings is given until he delivers a speech to his minions. He makes plans to get back on top after it is reported that another supervillain stole the major landmark. It's all about ego with these supervillains.
Gru has a team of hundreds of little, yellow minions who speak in undecipherable chirps. They work in his laboratory and research facility. He also has a mad scientist, Dr. Nerfario (voiced by Russell Brand) that converts Gru's orders into actual working devices. There is a humorous downfall here. Nerfario doesn't hear the orders so well and the wrong items are developed.
Gru is soon faced with an obstacle that is not part of the standard formula; he is a super evil power with money issues. The movie brings up a valid point: where do these guys get their financing? Out of all the superheroes and super villains in movies, I can't think of a time where this issue has been addressed. With the state of the economy being as it is, now is a good time for a movie to bring up money issues. The story breaks character and it's not about the kids at this point, Mom and Dad are now drawn closer to the story. They think, "Hey that's right, I just paid $40 to get my family of four into this theater and I had to take out a second mortgage to pay for sodas and popcorn. I totally get what this guy is going through." (Sorry for the dose of realism on the situation, but do the math, going to the movies isn't cheap).
Gru meets with the Mr. Perkins (voiced by Will Arnett), the president of the Bank of Evil, to ask for a loan. At the same time we are introduced to Vector (voiced by Jason Segel), Gru's soon-to-be arch nemesis. The back and forth quickly begins for power of a shrink ray. Gru needs the shrink ray to apply for his loan and to complete his plan to steal the moon. Vector just needs it to keep the story going. Vector was funny for about five minutes, as far as enemies are concerned, he is five years too late. His catch phrases and body gestures have been done over and over again in similar kiddy flicks. Like chewing bubble gum, the flavor didn't last for long.
To keep the story going and to give the kids something to connect with we are introduced to three orphaned girls that Gru incorporates into his plan by adopting them. The orphans unknowingly help Gru break into Vector's fortress to steal the shrink ray back. After that plan goes accordingly, Gru tries to ditch them at an amusement park but after a day with the girls, he finds that his tough exterior is slowly being chiseled away by their childish antics and puppy dog eyes. It's cute, too cute. Couple that with the adorable mannerisms of the minions and we are talking about some serious charm. On the cuteness scale of 1-10 you can rate this at an 11 or 12. (These minions will also be great plush toys, which means Mom and Dad's trip to the movie just tacked on a trip to the toy store and another $30.) Once Gru takes a liking to these three orphans the conflict between him and Vector climaxes. Mix in the fact that the date of Gru's evil plan coincides with the dates of the orphans' dance recital. Lastly add a dash of change-of-heart-syndrome to the final scenes. Have you heard this one before? I have a feeling you know how it will end.
Should you see this movie? I think you already have. But, see it again for the minions; they do bring a new, fun feel to the story line. Put the kids in the car; fill up on $3 per gallon gas; stop for dinner on the way to the theater, $50; enjoy the movie in 3D, $40; buy the toys, $30; and enjoy the time with the kids because it is all new to them. Priceless.