Movie Review: Despicable Me 2

They're back! Those adorable minions who stole the show in the first film return for the sequel in Despicable Me 2 where they are under the threat of being turned into crazed purple monsters.  This time around, the Anti-Villian League wants to recruit Gru (voice of Steve Carell) to find out who stole a lab from the Artic Circle.

Gru has retired from his evil doing days (which is a shame because he was quite inventive) and now spends the days planning parties and helping with homework for his three adopted daughters, Margo, Edith and Agnes.  He keeps getting set up by his annoying neighbor Jillian and his daughters who want to see him happy. But he might have met his match in AVL Agent Lucy (voice of Kristen Wiig) who just might be perfect for him. It's only the matter of finding out who's behind the scheme of wanting to creating a purple monster army.

Back to those minions, they're the real reason to go see the movie because once again, they're hysterical whether they're relaxing on the beach, working in Gru's jelly factory or even as the loyal sidekicks.  The minute they open their mouth to utter 'minionese' and laugh a naughty giggle, you know you want to see more. (As the end credits reveal, they are currently holding auditions for their own film.)  I know I definitely want to see more 90s music videos as imagined by the minions, whose idea was it to have them dress in all white? Because that was genius.

But I digress, the film is enjoyable enough but it is missing a bit of the charm present of the first film.  The animation was thoroughly delightful and it seemed the animators were having more fun with the minions and antics of the young daughters.  The only one who's lost a bit of sheen here is the despicable one, Gru. But let's face it, the real reason anyone's going to see the film is for the minions and there's plenty of that to enjoy.

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud; Written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul; Editing by Gregory Perler; Music by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira

Additional Voice Talents: Russell Brand, Benjamin Bratt, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Elsie Kate Fisher, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Kristen Schaal, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

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