Film Guide

Deep in the middle of white picket fenced suburbia, right next to the pristine lawns and bright smelling rose bushes is a sinister black house with a dead lawn. Despite standing out like a sore thumb wrapped in neon lights, the neighbours apparently don’t know that it’s not just a depressingly evil looking house, but it’s actually the headquarters and entrance to the underground lair for the evil criminal mastermind know only as Gru. Along with his legion of little yellow minions, this evil genius is planning the biggest heist in history – if only he can get a loan from the Bank of Evil to finance it.

The biggest problem for Gru however is that when we say he’s an Evil Genius, we’re not being totally honest. In fact applying the term genius to his title would be like calling Dane Rumble talented. Closer to the truth would be something along the lines of Evil Bumbling Idiot. 

This is good however, because, after-all, Despicable Me is a animated children’s comedy. And don’t you worry about the evil part either, because Gru is as much evil as he is genius.

Predictably his plans go somewhat off course when the bank managers son decides to try and one up Gru – and succeeds. But that’s not all folks, no, things get even worse for Gru with the arrival of three little girls: Margo, Edith and Agnes.

All these three want is someone to call dad.

Predictable and sweet, Despicable Me is a surprisingly good family film. The story-line is positive, the humour is actually funny for both adult and child alike and the character designs and animation are all spot on, creating a look and feel that is unique to Despicable Me.

Essentially Despicable Me has managed to achieve what Pixar does on a regular basis, delivering a solid story wrapped in humor that has everyone in fits of laughter. Unlike Pixar’s recent endeavors however, Despicable Me isn’t bogged down by a far too serious subplot, and ends up being the funniest animated film this year.

FILMGUIDE rating:

Reviewed by: Jonathan Read

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