Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Russell Brand in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie ‘Despicable Me’

Lightening things up today with a look at the animated movie Despicable Me (2010), we bring to you a movie directed by the team of Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. The screenplay was written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio based on a story by Sergio Pablos. The Minions franchise, when considered in timeline order rather than release order, can be watched as Minions (2015), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) as reviewed here, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2 (2013), Despicable Me 3 (2017) and the pending release Despicable Me 4 (2024).

(From back, Steve Carell as Gru, Pierre Coffin as the Minions, Chris Renaud as Dave and Jemaine Clement as Jerry in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie Despicable Me).

The movie introduces supervillain Gru, as voiced by Steve Carell, with a plan to steal the moon. Gru’s elderly assistant, Dr. Nefario as voiced by Russell Brand, and a host of Minions voiced by Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud and Jermaine Clement, are there both to aid the villainous plan and offer cute comedic and interpersonal shenanigans that simultaneously sidetrack and assist the cause.

(Jason Segel as Vector in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie Despicable Me).

Gru’s own personality additionally factors in on a pair of levels. First there is personal jealousy when a rival named Vector, as voiced Jason Segel, steals the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Second, Dr. Nefario points out that the effort to steal the moon is expensive; this leads to a loan from Mr. Perkins, the director of the Bank of Evil as voiced by Will Arnett. Perkins demands that Gru to steal a shrink ray before being granted the loan.

(From left, Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario and and Kristen Wiig as Miss Hattie in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie Despicable Me).

Adding to the plot is the great aid of introducing familial considerations. The charming introduction included a crossover between Vector and three sisters named Margo, Edith and Agnes, the three sisters voiced by Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher, respectively. Gru devises a plan to adopt the girls with the assistance of Miss Hattie, as voiced by Kristen Wiig.

(From left, Elsie Fisher as Agnes, Dana Gaier as Edith, Julie Andrews as Gru’s mother and Miranda Cosgrove as Margo in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie Despicable Me).

The story of Despicable Me engages on many levels, with the support of Gru’s mother as voiced by Julie Andrews, supporting the adoption storyline. Roles for Mindy Kaling and Jack McBrayer also add charm to an otherwise strong action, comedic movie. The movies and shorts that have come to life following the this first release in the series expresses just how solid of a connection this movie has for audiences.

(From left, Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins and Steve Carell as Gru in the Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud movie Despicable Me).

If looking for an animated movie that offers things for a wide audience with family-friendly messaging, my rating of 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5 for Despicable Me as directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud says watch the movie.

Matt – Saturday, March 30, 2024