Despicable Me (2010)

JOEL's VIEW ...

This movie is mainly about the people on the other side, the villains, instead of it having a superhero.

Gru is voiced masterfully by the great comedian, Steve Carell, who uses a Mike-Myers-voicing-Shrek-like voice to do the voice of Gru. Soon, Gru realizes that he is not the #1 supervillain. He is now #2 because Mr. Perkins’ son, Vector (formerly Victor Perkins), stole the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.

Mr. Perkins, the Supervillian Bank president, told Gru he will not give him a loan until Gru obtains the Shrink Ray for the plan that Gru has to become the #1 supervillian in the world, to steal the moon.

Then, three little orphans named Margo, Edith, and Agnes (voiced by Miranda Cosgrove of iCarly and Drake and Josh fame, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher, respectively) move in.

Russell Brand voices Dr. Nefario, Gru’s hearing-impaired scientist assistant. What took me by surprise is that Julie Andrews voiced Gru’s mother but I couldn’t tell it was her but it was.

The minions are super hilarious. They can just split your sides with whatever they do.

This is a good movie for little kids and people who just want to have fun. Go see it.

*****

LISE's VIEW ...

Pixar and DreamWorks Animation are crying this week. Newcomer Illumination Entertainment is the Evil Meany that popped their smiley balloon, literally and figuratively.

Despicable Me, super-villain-wannabe Gru voiced by crazy man Steve Carell, has shrunken the public’s devotion to Wall-e, Mike Wazowski and Buzz Lightyear with its fearful Shrink Ray. Very soon everyone’s new favs will be the prolific and irresistible banana-yellow Minions, who come in all shapes and sizes and whose giggles are infectious.

Like predecessors Toy Story and Monsters Inc., Despicable Me will keep adults, as well as tykes, enthralled. “You could take this movie on any level and find it adorable,” says screen and stage legend Julie Andrews, who voices Gru’s cruel mother. So true, Julie!

Granted: The plot is predictable. A villain adopts three girls desperately in need of homes to get in the door of his arch-rival Vector. For a long time, Gru is immovable, stalwartly resistant to their charms. “Don’t sneeze or barf or fart,” he warns them. It might disturb the master meany at work!

But, guess what? He softens. Next thing you know, he’s a big, sweet, Teddy bear of a guy, reading them stories and having tea parties with them.

Yet you won’t mind. There are too many other things to keep your interest and make you smile to spend time being disappointed in the lack of depth and divergence.

For instance, Dr. Nefario, who is the rather elderly mad scientist who helps Gru design dastardly devices to enhance his various villainous endeavors, is a hoot, particularly because he doesn’t hear well (Ack! Ageism Alert!).

Instead of the “cookie robots” Gru requests by phone, Nefario creates a room full of little John Travolta-like bots that disco dance – having heard “boogie” instead of “cookie.” [snicker]

Additionally, Vector, voiced by Jason Segal of sitcom How I Met Your Mother, is a fascinating megalomaniac in a neon orange warm-up suit. Even the little girls make fun of the over-grown teen and his iridescent “pajamas” and penchant for coconutty cookies.

And don’t forget the minions! Check ‘em out! You will want minions of your own!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO-pN_-y5YA&feature=channel

Despicable. Predictable. But delectable. [giggle]