Not as cute or clever as the original, Despicable Me 2 is still an adorable, brightly-colored, frequently funny family film
From upstart animation mogul Illumination Entertainment comes the sequel to their 2010 smash hit Despicable Me, aptly titled Despicable Me 2. The original film’s charm came from the broadly drawn characters and slapstick humor in tune with the Warner Brothers’ cartoons of old. It may be a bit premature to knight the nugget-sized Minions the successors to Bugs, Daffy, and the gang, but their antics are a large part of what made this franchise’s success such a pleasant surprise (the troublemaking scene-stealers will get to test their solo muscles in a spinoff due next Christmas). Despicable Me 2 is a bit weaker as a whole compared to its predecessor, but luckily those oh-so key elements to prosperity remain intact to provide an entertaining family adventure.
The sequel picks up a few months after the original film, where former villain (now single father) Gru (Steve Carell) is recruited into action by Agent Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), an eccentric operative for the Anti Villain League. The AVL, headed by Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan), needs Gru to go undercover in order to investigate the disappearance of a dangerous serum that turns anything into a violent manifestation of chaos when injected.
The central story of Despicable Me 2 doesn’t extend far beyond the above synopsis, as the film instead opts to focus on a variety of subplots that spreads the action to all the characters. Gru and his daughters long for a female component in their lives, and the chemistry between Lucy and Gru suggests that amore is in the air. Gru’s oldest daughter Margo (Miranda Cosgrove) has her own love interest in Antonio (Moises Arias), a suave Latin boy whose hulking father Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt) is one of the main suspects in Gru’s investigation. Even the Minions have their own side story here, a fun integration into the main story that recalls the classic story of Jekyll and Hyde . It’s all pretty simple predictable, which is in-line with the original Despicable Me but disappointing compared to the works of Illumination’s competitors.
What Despicable Me 2 lacks in story, however, it makes up for in energy and frenzied enthusiasm. Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud have a distinct understanding of what makes animation unique in comparison to other mediums. Potential injury and the laws of physics are plenty disregarded in Despicable Me 2 in favor for comedy, and its a testament to the directorial duo that they understand how to make a sight gag work. Each frame is bustling with creative images, such as a shark strapped to a rocket or the ravish nature of a Minion ice cream party. It’s all so earnest and fun that you can’t help but smile as the animators channel their sugar-fueled childhood.
Carell’s madcap madness and bizarre accent give personality to the warmhearted Gru, and Wiig matches his vibrancy with an enjoyable performance of her own. Bratt successfully camouflages his lack of Mexican heritage a role intended originally for Al Pacino, and Coogan is solid (if a bit wasted) as the snooty Ramsbottom. Ken Jeong, Nasim Pedrad, and Russell Brand all have small supporting roles that play into different aspects of the story but leave little impression. The directing duo provides the gibberish for the Minions, who once again provide the comedic high points.
Despicable Me 2 lacks some of the unexpected heart of the first film, but it’s also funnier and more ambitious in the creative process. Story is disregarded for entertainment, and in the case of this particular sequel, the formula and characters are strong enough to sustain a 100 minute runtime.
Cinema Frenzy 
Maybe these movies just aren’t my thing because I did not enjoy myself too much here. Good review.
Thank You! Yeah the series is certainly light entertainment, but as pure wacky fun I find them irresistibly charming.