In a summer filled so far with unremarkable movies, Despicable Me 3 comes right down the middle of the road. Though it may be missing the special charm and originality that made the first one so successful, however, there’s still plenty of antics and sincerity to entertain kids and adults alike.
Sequels have bogged the summer season to date, with another part 2, 3, or 5 almost every week since April. Heck, we even had an another animated 3rd with Cars 3 just two weeks ago. If you’re looking for formulaic escapism, I’m afraid studios Universal and Illumination has nothing new to offer.
But this juggernaut family franchise doesn’t need that endorsement. While the series might have lost it’s creative ability to surprise, it’s still full of everything that’s made the other movies so snappy and fun.
Steve Carell’s super-villain-turned-Dad-turned-spy Gru still has a fascination for explosions and harmless crime. The young girls, all voiced with such poise, are so unabashedly courageous and kind. And yes - the minions bring more than enough laughs to fill another movie. (Oddly, even more than their 2015 spinoff Minions.)
This newest adventure follows the unlikely adopted family as Gru reconnects with his lost brother, Dru (also hilariously voiced by Carell.) When threatened by master thief/80s culture enthusiast Balthasar Bratt (Trey Parker), the entire family must work together to put aside their opinions and decide once and for all who the good guys - and who the bad guys - are.
After four movies since 2010, the longtime characters are becoming somewhat stale. That being said, they’ve yet to lose their honesty or likability. There’s a strong familiarity with their dialogue and actions, but it’s not detracting. Sadly, while dizzy and cute, there’s also nothing truly special or new.
Carell as brothers Gru and Dru is a vocal treat. Their scenes as rival spies both good and “evil” have a strong flair of the classic Spy vs. Spy comics, also suggested by opposing black and white outfits.
The welcome new addition and breakaway star here is Parker’s washed up 80s star Bratt, who has so many great zingers and pulls off heists to the tune of Michael Jackson and Madonna. He’s both despicable and delicious, earning every laugh he gets.
Universal is expecting a juggernaut opening to start a busy few weeks at the multiplex. The series has so far grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide, and they’re opening the movie this weekend on over 4,500 screens. That’s the largest movie release in Hollywood history - be prepared for some crowded shows for the opening weekend.
Here’s a forgettable and fun way to start your kids' summer vacation. Full of 80s nostalgia, family heart, and a team of henchmen that look like tater tots, Despicable Me 3 offers a quaint, breezy flick the whole family can enjoy.
Allow me this suggestion for the adults: Go in expecting something despicable, and you’ll walk out smiling. Even if you aren’t, your kids will be. But those pesky yellow minions are so popular, this trilogy ending is by no means the end.
Despicable Me 3
2 1/2 out of 4 stars
G, 90 minutes. Animated Family Spy Comedy.
Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda.
Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Trey Parker.
Now Playing at Film.Ca Cinemas, Cineplex Winston Churchill and Cineplex Oakville & VIP.
