Key Takeaways:
– Despicable Me 4 is unlikely to meet the box office success of Inside Out 2 due to its linear narrative and diminished humor.
– The film follows Gru and his family on the run, with Gru's relationship with his baby taking a central role.
– Voice performances have come under fire, with Joey King being a standout exception.
– Humor and sideplots in the film often feel dated or less engaging.
Okay folks, it's movie time again, and guess what? One of the giants in animation, Illumination Entertainment, is at it again with a new release! Yeah, you got it right, Despicable Me 4 is here! Remember Pixar's Inside Out 2 that was a massive hit recently? Everyone's eyes moved to Illumination to see if they could pull off a similar feat. Well, you gotta stick around and find out.
Before we jump in, let's talk about the plot real quick. This time around, our beloved characters Gru and his family find themselves in witness protection. Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes have a new, less-than-welcoming family member – Gru Jr. Moreover, a nemesis from school, Maxime Le Mal, along with his girlfriend Valentina, threatens to make life more difficult for our heroes as they are forced to go on the run.
However, while it's exciting to see the family face new challenges, the plot crumbles under the weight of its own vastness. Here's the thing. A winning formula seemed to be missing – the deep connection between Gru and the kids, which always tugged at our heartstrings, seemed less prevalent. One of the main plotlines revolves around Gru's baby not liking him. It's predictable! Sadly, this also makes the original children – Margo, Edith, and Agnes – seem distant.
Now let's talk about the voice acting. Honestly, it felt like a letdown. Even top stars such as Will Ferrell and Sofía Vergara seemed to be doing minimal work. Joey King, who added a special touch to her character with a deep lisp, was the only one who really stood out. The usually enthusiastic Steve Carell also seemed to fall flat with his portrayal of Gru this time around.
Another part of the movie to look out for is the Minions' side story. It's full of laughs, but the superhero twist feels a bit out of place. And some of the humor? Well, let's just say it could've been fresher. Recycled jokes from a decade ago do little to tickle the funny bone in 2024.
In comparison to recent movies, Despicable Me 4 doesn't quite measure up in terms of energy. Your enjoyment of the film will likely hinge on how much you dig the Minions and their particular brand of comedy. While nothing in the film should upset anyone, it does, unfortunately, have a rather pointless feel to it.
So, an important question remains: Should you go watch Despicable Me 4? Well, if you're a fan of the franchise and enjoy the Minions' comedy style, it won't hurt to give this one a chance. Just remember to keep your expectations at bay. Despicable Me 4 will be hitting theaters on July 3rd, 2024.
Remember, everyone's opinion is different, and hey! You might enjoy it more than we did. Happy viewing!
