Rated: U
Genre: Family animation
Running Time: 94 minutes
Director: Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin
Writers: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Nasim Pedrad, Moises Arias
Synopsis: In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2. Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.
Verdict: This sequel is clearly just a quick cash-in before producing what the fans really want - a Minions spinoff. With an even more common and linear plot, Despicable Me 2 is less adventurous and lacks of surprise compared to the first film, making it less entertaining for male audiences like myself. Furthermore, it has no moral value incorporated, no message or any higher purpose to the story at all for that matter. It's also a big waste of great talents like Kristen Wiig who clearly can do more than this. Simply put, Despicable Me 2 has nothing but cuteness and mostly predictable kiddish humour to offer (most of the best scenes are already shown on trailers/teasers, by the way), but thanks to the Minions (and maybe Agnes), I can't say I hated it completely, although scenes without either one of them involved are just hopelessly dull.
Second opinion: "Only liked the scenes with the minions & Agnes; probably won't watch it again" (girlfriend).
To watch in 3D? Pretty good 3D depth at most parts but the film's not visually ambitious and lacks of thrill, making it needless to choose 3D unless you're a kid who just enjoys things on screen seem slightly popped out.
Minions spinoff: During the closing credits, 3 Minions are seen to be auditioning to audience for something. Just as expected, it's to tell us that there'll be a Minions movie. It's scheduled to be released at the end of 2014. There'll be only three Minions in it as the main characters... not sure if that'd work out as well.
Rating: 2 / 5
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Favourite minion scene: At the end where four of them do a music video-like parody of "I Swear", a hit song originally performed by John Michael Montgomer before All 4 One made it popular pop ballad. It's hilarious when these cute jokers try to act out the typical cheesiness by boy bands. They're all dressed in white, just like how Eminem and D12 mock boy bands in "My Band".
Mexican cupcakes? When Gru (Steve Carrell) first meet Eduardo/El Macho (Benjamin Bratt) as an undercover at the cupcake shop, Eduardo placed an order of 200 cupcakes with Mexican flag for his Cinco de Mayo party. But later at the party, both of them seem to have totally forgotten about it. Or rather, the writers and director have forgotten to do a follow up on that.
"I hate boys": The above isn't the one thing left without a follow-up. Margo (Mirando Cosgrove) is left heartbroken when the boy who's wooing her leaves her for another girl. She says she hates boy and that they suck, and then Gru, who's been overprotective of her in the entire film, agrees with her and fires his freeze gun at the boy. And that's the end of that. The message isn't done right. It makes me seriously question if the director and writers had actually thought it through.
Flawed Dr. Neferio (Russell Brand): So he leaves Gru after getting a new job offer 'cause he misses being evil. He helps kidnap hundreds of Minions, mutate them into purple evil Minions and then suddenly decides to help Gru undo everything 'cause he feels that no one should mess with his "family" when he's actually the one who assisted El Macho to "mess with his family". Then it makes me wonder, why couldn't El Macho just extend his "job offer" or invitation to rule the world to Gru the same time he hires Dr. Neferio? Come on, many commoners could probably write a better story than this.
Ba-ba-ba babanana:
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Special thanks to a fellow blogger (you know who you are) for preview screening passes.