Not Despicable At All.

Rating: 7/10 (9 July 2015)

Despicable Me (2010): Dir: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud / Voices: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett: Animated comedy about the temptation of wrong. Gru is an evil mastermind competing against a much younger villain foe. He is assisted by his many minion workers but as a secret weapon he adopts three girls in hopes of stealing back his shrink ray, which he plans to use on the moon. That is at least a different target as oppose to the heavily targeted planet Earth. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud who employ the latest animated film to hype comic affect out of an otherwise likable villain Steve Carell voices Gru to great comic effect until the predictable sentimental conclusion where he grows to love the girls and become a father. Jason Segel voices the young foe full of teenage delusions and an ability to counter Gru. Russell Brand voices the senile inventor who coaxes Gru to abandon right for wrong. Perhaps his change of heart later on is rather unconvincing but Brand is on target with the personality. Kristen Wigg voices the underused social worker. This is unfortunate since Wiig can be one of the brightest female comedians given the material but here she is not given a lot to work with. Will Arnett voices the president of the bank of evil and that is pretty much the extent of this character. The animation is simple but works especially since Gru bares great likeness to Dr. Evil of Austin Powers fame. It will appeal to families particularly with its grand theme of good over evil, which keeps the formula from becoming despicable. Score: 7 ½ / 10