Synopsis

In "Despicable Me 4," Agent Gru (Steve Carell) and his team from the Anti-Villain League (AVL) have just captured the notorious supervillain Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell). However, Maxime quickly escapes from prison, vowing revenge on Gru. To protect Gru and his family, the AVL relocates them and gives them new identities. As the family adjusts to their new lives, Gru gets entangled in a villainous plot by neighbor Poppy Prescott (Joey King) while Maxime plans his retribution.

My Thoughts

As someone new to the Despicable Me franchise, having watched all five previous films recently, I understand their appeal, but they aren't quite for me. Surprisingly, they were better than expected but still lack depth. The first film is somewhat decent and heartwarming, but subsequent installments make it clear that the Minions' popularity drives the series' continuation.

Minion Mayhem

The Minions (voiced by Pierre Coffin) are a polarizing aspect of the series. Some love them for their slapstick comedy and musical numbers, while others find them loud and unamusing. Initially, the Minions served as comic relief relevant to the story. However, as the series progressed, they became more central, often without contributing to the actual plot. In "Despicable Me 4," their antics continue with slapstick violence and gibberish dialogue, including a subplot where five Minions become "Mega Minions" but ultimately do little to impact the narrative.

Scattershot Plot

The writing in the Despicable Me sequels suffers from a lack of cohesive storytelling. While the movies are colorful, fast-paced, and humorous, they often lack depth and meaningful plots. Critics of children's movies often excuse shallow narratives, but it's possible to create engaging, well-structured films for young audiences. The original Despicable Me focused on the emotional connection between Gru and his adopted daughters, a theme that subsequent films have not effectively revisited.

In "Despicable Me 4," the plot feels disjointed, with events happening without clear purpose or resolution. Subplots are introduced and dropped with little impact. Gru and his family aim to live normally, occasionally causing mischief, while Maxime's role is largely limited to the film's climax. Despite the cliffhanger at the end of Despicable Me 3, where Gru's brother Dru becomes a villain, this subplot is entirely ignored in the new film.

Illumination's Animation Style

Aside from "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," I hadn't seen other Illumination films until catching up with Despicable Me. The animation style, while vibrant and exaggerated, often features grotesque character proportions that can be off-putting. However, the voice cast, including Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, and Chloe Fineman, deliver stellar performances, even if some are underused.

Final Verdict

"Despicable Me 4" will undoubtedly entertain children and parents seeking a bright, funny, and light-hearted film. However, it lacks a substantial narrative and meaningful depth. Despite its flaws, the final scene is sweet, providing a celebratory send-off for the series' characters. It feels like an acknowledgment from director Chris Renaud that the series has reached its end. Nevertheless, the franchise's financial success suggests that Universal and Illumination will continue producing more installments, ensuring that the Minions live on.

"Despicable Me 4" may not offer much beyond entertainment, but it remains a fun ride for those who enjoy the Minions' antics and the series' quirky charm.