Despicable Me (Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, 2010) Review

Well, it's Father's Day so I thought of no other film than Despicable Me. Why? Because it's main focus is on a father! It's about a father developing love for his adopted children. Appropriate, I know. I didn't see this film when it first came out because I was unimpressed by it. You could say I was being prejudice to a film. I guess it had to do with the fact it was competing with Megamind, another animated villain film but was it worth watching after all? Let's dive in!

Gru (Steve Carell) is the biggest super villain in the world...that is until a new villain rises and takes Gru's glory. He develops a plan in order to take back his glory: he is going to steal the moon. First thing's first: he needs a shrink ray in order to shrink the moon down and take it. This is where he hatches a new plan. The rival villain Vector (Jason Segel) has the shrink ray and so Gru adopts three children, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher) in order to get into Vector's base with cookies (it makes sense in context). Gru starts to spend more time with the kids and slowly starts to open up to them.

It's heartwarming, obviously. I know for a fact that my Dad loves this film and for good reason. Gru goes through some great character development and you really get to like him by the end. Steve Carell did a really good job of voicing Gru and avoid his usual comedic approach. It's nice to see a more serious role from him. Gru's opposite, Vector, is like marmite. You either like him or hate him. There is no middle ground. He's a character that was designed to be hateful so I guess you'll most likely hate him...he's still funny though. My favourite character is still Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) just because he's your typical crazy old mad scientist.

It seems that animated films always have to have some kind of marketable mascot. Scrat for Ice Age, Aliens for Toy Story and Despicable Me is no different. Gru's minions act as this. They are everywhere in the advertising and everywhere in the film. Again, for good reason. They are great characters that are more than just a marketing ploy. They actually help out alot (even saving Gru's life at several points).

Despicable Me seems to be a hit with fathers (along with Aladdin) when it comes to animated films so I would recommend if your dad likes animated films and has a good sense of humour. It's a heartwarming story that closes on a great and satisfying conclusion. The characters are likeable and it looks fantastic along with some top notch voice acting.

Verdict:
7/10
A great film for Father's Day if you and your dad have a great sense of humour and enjoy a good animated film.