Breakaway from Carell's usual Roles

Rating: 6/10 (24 August 2010)

When you come out with an animated film weeks after the largest grossing animated film to date (Toy Story 3 if you live under a rock and haven't read this), your expectations have to be tempered. The same must be true when going to watch such a film. If you do, you will be pleasantly amused with Despicable Me. The film's plot is fairly original as super-villain Gru (voiced by Carell) learns to father three young girls that he has adopted in order to use for his dastardly plan to become the greatest thief of all time. The story is entertaining for both young and old. Children will enjoy the gentle humor and goofy minions while adults will sympathize with some of Gru's lot and will appreciate some of the jokes intended for a more mature audience (including a jab at the company formerly known as Lehman Brothers). The difference between this film and Carell's other recent ones is that it is not based solely upon his character. Gru is in no way similar to Michael Scott and so Carell can successfully create a character that has no ties to what made him big.
Despicable Me is a fun movie that does not try to do too much, but lets Carell break away from what seems to be a patterned typecast. Its humor is driven by good writing, and I'll say it again, good stories make good movies.
Check out this full review and all of my other reviews at http://clawandnussmoviereviews.blogspot.com/