Despicable Me 2

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 5th July, 2013
Time : 98 minutes
Director : Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin; Writer : Ken Dauro, Cinco Paul; Music : Heitor Pereira, Pharrell Williams
Starring : Voices Of : Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Elsie Kate Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Steve Coogan



Just as there are moments when Scrat, the acorn chasing squirrel of Ice Age, almost overshadows the other, main characters of the film, it’s the minions here who takeover almost completely. This is not a classic but a surefire good laugh and one of the rare ones where I enjoyed the sequel as much, if not more than the original.

Gru is happy being a full time Dad and a part time businessman, producing various horrible tasting jams with Dr Nefario and the minions. But then the AVL (Anti Villain League) needs his help in tracing a missing mutant serum (that is obviously deadly if it falls in the wrong hands), traces of which have been found in a nearby mall and Gru has to partner with the whacky Lucy Wilde in order to track the serum down.

Other characters include Eduardo, who runs a Salsa joint in the mall, and who looks uncannily like Macho Man, a sinister villain from the past. His son, Antonio, who charms girls like Gru’s daughter, Margo, with his Latin vibes. The shifty Floyd Eagle-san, who runs a wig parlour. And the stiff, upper-lipped Mr Ramsbottom, who heads the AVL.

While there are enough plot points thrown in : Edith's search for a mother, Gru’s loneliness, Lucy’s craziness, Gru’s over protectiveness and concern for Margo, what really remains in the mind though are the minions. Whether they are singing like one of the innumerable boy bands. Or having fun in the factory. Or trying to rescue Gru while he is being kidnapped. Or even when they’re just cleaning the house, they effortlessly manage to steal the scene and all the laughs.

I missed a plot that really engages (this one barely suffices) and some of the layered jokes that normally abound in animation films – which are funny for kids at one level and adults at another… But the film is good, clean, sweet, innocent, peppy and lovable. And there are plenty of laughs. Guess you cant ask for much more…

PS : stay seated for the end credits, with the 3D glasses on...
PS2 : I want one of those chip & guacamole hats !