Despicable Me 3

Despicable Me 3

Released: June 2017

Starring: Steve Carell, Kirsten Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Nev Scharrel

Director: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin

Will Despicable Me 3 be the grand completion of Gru’s trilogy, or will this be another animated over-reach?
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Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the first two Despicable Me’s (2010 & 2013), but there was a feeling in my humours that number three would be a step too far. The beloved minions have already been given their own shot the stardom they deserved in Minions (2015) and new characters are being added at every juncture to bolster out the story. The addition of Gru’s long-lost twin brother just screamed of desperation to me. The signs were all there that this was going to be a frantic attempt to grab the brief attention of kids, before they sat down and watched the real Despicable Me’s.

But you know what, I was pleasantly surprised. Very pleasantly actually. It may not set the world on fire, but Despicable Me 3 is an entertaining extension to the series, full of the laughs and capers that you would expect. There’s nothing complicated or difficult to digest, this is a nice straightforward film; easy and enjoyable.

After turning to a life of crime fighting, things have been going well for Gru (Carell), Lucy (Wiig) and the kids. But after a change in leadership at the Anti-Villain League and another slip up by Gru in his attempts to capture their most wanted villain, Balthazar Bratt (Parker), they are both fired.

To make matters worse, Gru’s ever reliable Minions, relegated back into a side story role after their big-screen antics, have grown tired of their new life of good and decided to leave, pursuing their own despicable adventures.

With plenty of free time and no immediate income, they are invited to stay with none other than Gru’s estranged twin brother, Dru (also Carell). It turns out that they were separated as babies and raised individually by their parents in true Parent Trap style. As Gru had to live as a constant disappointment to his mother, so did Dru under his father’s gaze. Although Gru was actually pretty good at being bad, Dru has not gained a similar skillset and, being raised by a famed villain, this simply would not do. Dru wants to finally live up to his father’s reputation for villainy by usurping Bratt as the AVL’s most wanted villain, but he’ll need Gru’s help to do it.

As Gru was busy being fired, Bratt was busy stealing a ruddy huge diamond, which he intends to use to (you guessed it) take over the world. Dru has gotten wind of this and wants to steal from him. Gru, seeking his own revenge agrees to help, but will he really be looking for a life of crime, or will he remain one of the good guys and save the day?
Of course, away from the main tale, the girls are off having their own fun. Edith (Gaier) and Agnes (Scharrel) spend their time hinting for unicorns, while Margo (Cosgrove) and Lucy spend some time bonding. The Minions wind up in a prison, which they eventually take over, before expertly escaping. Honestly, this is the most entertaining story in the film, once again the Minions have stolen the show.

Creating a new villain for a film is always challenging and Balthazar Bratt falls slightly short of being a top-quality antagonist. An 80’s child TV star, he has become consumed by the villainous character he played and lives to carry out the plots and plans from his show.

Taking a leaf from the Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014 & 2017) and cramming Despicable Me 3 with 1980’s classics at every opportunity is a master-stroke, but I am quizzical about his appearance. Mullet, good; shoulder pads, great; single dangly earring, fab. But picking Trey Parker to voice a black-haired man, sporting a moustache is only ever going to lead people to think one thing: Randy Marsh. Perhaps the animators were counting on a limited number of their viewers also having watched South Park [distressingly, my wife is chief amongst their ranks], but even so, they were always going to be caught out. Given that Parker himself looks nothing like this (so they can’t argue they’ve based the character on him), they could have picked virtually any other look. But they didn’t. If you manage to get past the South Park throwback, he is an entertaining character at points, if fundamentally one dimensional.

If I’m honest, there are quite a few parts of the film which feel like they’re only in there so that we can keep tabs on our characters and honestly, they fall flat. We could just leave Margo and Lucy sat on a sofa for the entire film and get as much from them as we already do. If we could sacrifice their scenes for more Minion moments then that would be great. Although perhaps it is the small portions of Minions that leave us wanting more.

All in all Despicable Me 3 isn’t the mess that I was anticipating, but by no means is it a must see. For those with young children looking for an afternoon out, fans of the Minions, or the easily entertained, this will likely tick all of the boxes though. It’s not a classic, but it hasn’t spoilt what came before it and, if deemed absolutely necessary, it has left some room for another sequel. Although more effort will be required next time if necessary it is deemed.

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🌟🌟🌟 3 Stars

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I loved

The Minions taking over a prison is simply marvellous; spoofs of any number of prison films and musicals makes this for me. If it hadn't been for their involvement, Despicable Me 3 would likely have pulled in fewer stars.

Agnes finally gets her "unicorn". Worth watching the film for this if nothing else.

Pet Peeve

Call me pernickety, but the girls all have different voices and it sucks a bit. Like, you can tell it a mile off. At least you get used to it as the film draws on though.

I’m sorry, I just can’t get over the whole Randy Marsh thing!

Balthazar Bratt and Randy Marsh; but which is which?