This animated comedy, from the writers of Horton Hears A Who, follows Gru (Steve Carell), an evil genius masterminding the biggest heist in history: to steal the moon. His wicked ways go unchecked as he plots and schemes from his lair and manages to steal several world landmarks. One day, however, he meets his match in three little orphan girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes, who just want him as their dad.
Kiwi comedian Jemaine Clement is one of the many vocal talents, which include Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews.
Steve Carell provides the voice of Gru, a super-villain who is neither as ‘super’ nor as ‘villainous’ as he used to be. Looking like a sprightly version of Danny DeVito’s Penguin (from Batman Returns), he spends his days plotting to do something more evil than anyone else. Enter, stage right, three cute little girls, who make it their mission to tame his megalomaniacal ideas and set him on the straight and narrow.
This light-hearted caper is brightly coloured and up-tempo, featuring plenty of cool gadgets and baddie-vs-baddie hijinks. It feels more rooted in the present than some other recent animated releases, particularly thanks to the jazzy urban soundtrack, provided in part by N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell Williams.
There’s a street-smart savviness to everything, however, and by cribbing from many other movies, Despicable Me feels more of a spoof than a genuine tale. The hundreds of little yellow minions (some voiced by Jemaine Clement) are fun, but they’re really just different-looking versions of Madagascar’s penguins, or Toy Story’s squeeze toy aliens.
The post-climax finale is an obligatory disco dance-fest, with one of the minions providing DJ duties and Gru cutting loose. As much of the movie that proceeded it, it’s a little uninspired. But just because Despicable Me lacks originality doesn’t mean that it’s not fun. Your kids will have a good time – be prepared for a barrage of Gru quoting in the weeks ahead.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
If you enjoyed MEGAMIND then you'll enjoy this. Same set-up, i.e. the would-be bad guy learns that he is a hero deep inside... escuse me while I yawn and puke simultaneously, but I'm a SOUTH PARK fan, rather than a Disney dude. Anyway - knockabout fun for the kids but, unlike PIXAR films such as Up, WALL-E or MONSTERS INC, there's not much going on here for adults or film buffs. It works on one level - as a fun, slapstick comedy, much like KUNG FU CASHMACHINE... Take the kids, but don't expect PIXAR standards of animation, script or imagination. Liked the minions - but struggled to spot more than a mere hint of Jemaine Clement's vocal talents. Anyway the minions are basically knock-off versions of the alien creatures from TOY STORY ("the claw!") and the whole film has the smell of "stolen, seen-it-somewhere, knicked, hey!" about it... When does homage become stealing? I don't know, ask Quentin Tarantino! What do I know?
it was awesome and is the best little kids movie and even some adults love it its great for all ages
okay so i laughed at some bits... and the story line was quite original. but it's nothing to write home about -the trailer amped it up to much
I thought this movie had awesome feel to it. The joke were well presented and the characters are adorable. Great movie for all agess. I must admit i often hesitate to watch childrens movies when they pick them out but this one was hilarous and there were a few jokes put in for adults. Loved it
The film is funny, energetic, teeth-gnashingly venomous and animated with an eye to exploiting the 3-D process with such sure-fire techniques as a visit to an amusement park. The sad thing, I am forced to report, is that the 3-D process produces a picture more dim than it should be.
It's not as dazzling as your average Pixar film, but fifDespicable Meltf is a fun, plucky movie, with its not-so-despicable heart in the right place. Guaranteed to entertain a wide range of ages.
The sort of animation used in Despicable Me perfected by Pixar, and used in dozens of movies over the past few years is a gift to film-makers. It manages to be so realistic at times that you can forget it isn't real.
Despicable doesn't measure up to Pixar at its best. Nonetheless, it's funny, clever and warmly animated with memorable characters.
The film throws so much ersatz cleverness and overdone emotion at the audience that we end up more worn out than entertained.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 16th Sep 2010.
Release date: September 16th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
