Despicable Me 3: Movie Review
Those pint-sized yellow bouncing oval gibbering minions proved to be the real stars of the previous Despicable Me films and much to the joy of adoring children in the audience, again this one is no different.
Gru (Steve Carell) meets long lost total opposite twin brother Dru (also voiced by Carell) who has supposedly all the charming attributes and successful career aspirations. You may remember from the previous instalment, Gru has given up criminal activity to be more of a father figure to his daughters and falling in love with Lucy (Kristen Wiig). However, with plans of one final heist, Dru tempts his twin to join him on what turns out to be formidable fun family bonding.
Beginning as a side story, we meet former child star of the ‘80s Baltazar Bratt (Trey Parker of South Park fame) who grew up with an uncontrollable obsession that leads him to be facing off with Gru in weird circumstances. Minions may be subversively at the forefront but there’s an array of delightful attributes such as some terrific retro tunes on the soundtrack and an appearance of unicorns.
Veteran Julie Andrews lends her distinguished voice to proceedings giving a wonderful nod to her timeless Maria persona from The Sound Of Music. Miranda Cosgrove as Margo is still growing up into a fabulous young adult. Her appeal to girls dealing with the teen pressures of growing up is undeniably sweet while Dana Gaier is developing her own irresistible personality as younger sibling Edith.
The nefarious side of Gru is exploited as fun with the sibling rivalry of Dru going to hilarious extremes that kids are going to love this school holidays. But it’s all about the minions, these little species are nothing but vocabulary defying banana loving loyal friends to Gru and part of the universal message that scriptwriters have been intent in conveying since the 2010 original, the strength of family is unlimited.
Voices by Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristen Wiig, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Trey Parker (Rated PG – 90 min).
Shane A. Bassett
