One of the most creative animated films with an original concept if somewhat similar to 'Megamind'

Rating: 8/10 (29 November 2013)

I saw this in the cinema three years ago when I could watch it in 3D, the best part with that effect being the roller coaster scene. Re-visiting this film today I had the same feeling about it as 'A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures' by enjoying the 3D version more but I still found it as creative and funny as ever.
The animation standard is on the same level as Pixar and Dreamworks CGI films with oddly-designed yet appealing characters, original weapons, a combination of modern, retro and futuristic backgrounds, some clever uses of colour such as Vector's orange suit matching his couch and other belongings and some realistic elements such as the moon and the pyramids despite the one Vector stole being thinly disguised amongst the sky. The story has an original concept of a villain as a protagonist in a similar manner to 'Megamind,' although the opening scene of the soft pyramid looked as if belonged to a different film altogether. While the girls' names are old-fashioned, they have their own personalities (the smart Margo, the tomboyish Edith and the adorable, unicorn- loving Agnes) and make the film worthwhile. The musical score is powerful and reminds me of the sort of music one would hear in a spy or mystery film. It even includes hints of disco music. Other aspects that made this film worth watching were the minions (they were all funny and in my favourite colour yellow), Dr Nefario's misunderstandings of Gru's demands (boogie robots instead of cookie robots for example), the 'Annie' reference, the use of the famous Wilhelm scream when Gru's mother hits the punch-bag and sends the instructor flying and the hilarity of Agnes puckling her cheeks when she asks if it counts as annoying. There was also an element of visual trickery with Edith briefly becoming trapped inside Gru's iron maiden along with other dark moments such as Miss Hattie keeping girls inside the Box of Shame and Gru leaving out food and water bowls as well as newspaper for a toilet for the girls because he perceives them as animals to begin with. Some parts of the film were slow and initially forgettable but these are balanced by the stronger scenes I have already mentioned. While Steve Carell seemed unrecognisable, he played his most unique role yet as Gru while Russell Brand was superb as Dr Nefario and Julie Andrews was a pleasant surprise as Gru's mother. The voice actresses for the girls did a solid job as well, especially Elsie Fisher as Agnes.
In spite of this film being more enjoyable in 3D, it still entertained me and I hope to see the sequel soon. 8/10.