Merchandise and promotional campaigns suggest that the Minions – the little yellow characters – are what the films Despicable Me (Despicable Mein French version) have the best to offer.
Yes, they are cute and funny. Their antics, their teasing and the abuse they inflict on each other make young and old laugh. However, it is the story of a family like no other that keeps us interested in the franchise from the animation studio Illumination launched in 2010.
The relationship between former villain Felonious Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his three adopted daughters remains our favorite. Much like the man in the black and gray scarf, Margo, Edith, and Agnes have been starved of love their entire lives. Watching them form an unlikely family is heartwarming. The arrival of Lucy (Kristen Wiig), now Gru’s wife and now Gru Jr.’s mother, only adds happiness and chaos to the household, which also houses the loyal minions.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ILLUMINATION AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Gru Jr., Gru, Poppy Prescott and two minions in Despicable Me 4
The prison escape of Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), a long-time rival of his father, will however force the clan to leave his huge house which stands out in the neighborhood. Each will take on a new identity in the small town of Mayflower while waiting for the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to put the flamboyant criminal with the French accent back behind bars.
Once again, the antagonist is more irritating than entertaining. Following the angry inventor, the masked restaurateur and the former child star of the 1980s, Maxime has an obsession with cockroaches. It’s original, but it doesn’t stray far from the garish register of the other villains.
His girlfriend Valentina (Sofía Vergara) could hardly be more incidental. At least screenwriters Mike White and Ken Daurio took the trouble to craft a past between Max and Gru that goes back to their days at No Good High, the renowned school that trains the next generation of villains.
The Divided Family
As is often the case with sequels that juggle multiple characters, they are quickly separated. While Lucy improvises as a hairdresser, which gives rise to one of the funniest scenes, Margo faces the challenges of a new school, while her younger sisters take karate lessons.
The majority of the minions are recruited by the AVL. Five of them get superpowers following a Captain America-type process. Amusing, but useless to the story.
Gru, meanwhile, struggles to bond with his baby and assume the identity of Chet Cunningham. His pink polo shirt and over-the-top enthusiasm don’t fool Poppy Prescott (Joey King), his young new neighbor. She wants to become a villain and threatens Gru to reveal his true self if he doesn’t help her kidnap the mascot of No Good High.
All of this results in some crazy moments where there is no shortage of action. Despicable Me 4 is certainly scattered, but it can’t be accused of being boring. Chris Renaud, who co-directed the first two films, offers a better pace than the previous installment and offers something of a return to Gru’s roots.
We still wonder if the formula has not had its day. There might be other stories to tell if the girls finally grew up. Even older, we are sure that Agnes would be just as adorable!
In theaters Wednesday
Animated comedy
Despicable Me 4
(VF: Despicable Me 4)
Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage
Featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell
1 h 35