Movie Review by EDF
Starring: (voices) Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Ken Jeong, Miranda Cosgrove
Director: Pierre Coffin,Chris Renaud
The follow-up to the 2010 animated hit movie is not just a straight re-hash of the first movie. Thankfully, some of the characters have a story arc aided by the introduction of some new characters.
Gru, magnificently voiced by Steve Carell, now looks after the three young girls he adopted, Margo, Edith and Agnes. In doing so, he has changed his evil ways and has become a nicer person and a loving father. This is in evidence during Agnes (Elsie Fisher) birthday party. Whatever Agnes wishes, Gru will deliver, even if it means dressing up as a fairy. Oh how the mighty have fallen, or so you might think. Gru still has his minions and Dr. Nefarious (Russell Brand) cooking up new schemes, such as jam and jelly condiments. Not content that Gru seems to be less evil than before, Dr. Nefarious regrettably leaves.
Then super-spy Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig) comes into Gru’s life, hoping to recruit him over to the Anti-Villan League. They believe that the best way to catch an evil criminal is to hire someone who had been one. Initially Gru declines but when the opportunity arises to team up with Lucy, they both go undercover to find a missing serum. They open a cake shop in the local mall to discover which of the other shop owners might be hiding the serum. While all of this is happening, Gru must confront his feelings for Lucy, as well as contend with Margo’s first boyfriend.
This is a worthy sequel that is not only fun, but you could nearly get away with not having seen the original. The major characters are developed more with the main theme here being old friendships and new relationships. This will no doubt interest adults along with the funny comedic gags and saving the world aspect that will also entertain the younger audience. For an animated movie, the soundtrack is full of surprises too. Overall this is a thoroughly entertaining animated movie that will entertain young and old.
Point to note: if you have seen the trailer, you might have noticed Al Pacino’s name attached to movie. He dropped out of the project even though he had recorded his lines for the Eduardo role. Benjamin Bratt took over voicing the role of Eduardo.
