Despicable Me

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 6th August, 2010
Time : 95 minutes
Director : Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud; Writer : Sergio Pablos, Ken Daurio, Cinco Paul; Music : Heitor Periera, Pharrell Williams
Starring : (Voices of) : Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher

Mr Gru wants to be known as the greatest criminal in the world. So when someone steals the pyramid of Giza, its clear that stealing the moon is the only fitting riposte. He, his army of minions (cute, cuddly creatures) and the scientist, Dr Nefario, begin planning their heist. However, when the Bank of Evil (formerly known as Lehman Brothers), which normally funds their heists, shows a predilection towards younger, hungrier clients like the Vector, it unleashes an unhealthy competition between the two.



Into this otherwise straightforward plot also enter Mr Gru’s very very hard to please mom and three orphan girls (who seem to be the only ones who can get into Vectors house with ease). So, suddenly Gru, who enjoyed bursting balloons to make kids cry, is forced to babysit, tell bedtime stories etc. Will he manage to steal the moon ? More importantly, will he make it in time for the girls dance recital of Swan Lake ?



Wonderfully weird, yet engaging and quite funny in parts, the film is not really a conventional animated film. Including the last one I watched (How to Train Your Dragon) there seems to be a trend towards whacky plots and even whackier titles - a far cry from the days of Pocahontas or Mulan.



Several interesting touches include Mr Gru’s slightly Arabic accent, his desperate need to get his Mom’s approval, the minions who always seem to be upto something or the other (even when given as mundane a task as going to the supermarket) and the three girls who pretty quickly get the hang of being able to get Gru to do their bidding.



Its highly probable that the creators were on some sort of intoxicant while dreaming this one up. But if that’s the case, I wouldn’t mind something of what they were on….