Despicable Me 4 movie review

MOVIE TITLE:     Despicable Me 4

RATING:    PG

LENGTH:      1 hour 35 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

This is the 4^th installment in Gru’s story in the popular Despicable Me franchise.  The last one earned almost a BILLION dollars worldwide! 

This addition to the franchise is a family story that focuses on Lucy and Gru Jr.  Gru’s newest nemesis is Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, who force Gru’s family to go into the Witness Protection Program.

The animation was directed by  Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage.  Writing credits go to Mike White and Ken Daurio.

THINGS I LIKED:

• The voice talents include returning fan favorites: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan, Stephen Colbert, Laraine Newman, and more.
• The animation is really great, as expected.  I was completely enamored by Gru Jr. and his incredibly expressive face and eyes.  So cute.
• I love all of the little details in the animation. So clever and entertaining.
• There is so much visual and spoken humor. There is something that will make all ages laugh in this. Yay!
• Fans of the old Terminator franchise will recognize some of the music moments used in this movie for humorous effect.  There are quite a few musical jokes that will appeal to parents and grandparents for nostalgia’s sake.
• This movie won’t win any big awards, but you’ll laugh.
• As always, the minions are adorable at times and annoying at other times.
• Plenty of silly, chaotic shenanigans as expected.
• The soundtrack is energetic, culminating in the obligatory dancing finale to the song “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• There’s a Boy George reference.  Will any kids or their young Millennial parents even know who he is?  The target audience for many of the jokes seems like grandparents.
• We don’t get enough information or backstory to understand what Maxime’s evil plot is all about, although his special talents are unique.  All of the villains are pretty easily overcome.
• If you’re a fan who pays attention to the details, you might wonder what happened to Valerie Da Vinci, who replaced Silas Ramsbottom in the third movie.  We don’t get any information about her in this movie.
• There is a lot going on in this story that makes the telling of it a bit choppy.
• Not all of the jokes land.
• Ultimately, the movie is enjoyable but forgettable.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:    

• The “camera” zooms in on people’s rear ends when they’re dancing.
• Cartoon violence
• Lots of destruction
• Bullying

THEMES:

• Witness Protection program
• Identity
• Belonging
• Parenting
• Family

FUNNY LINES:

• “Teenagers are the worst.”   Margo/Brie (Miranda Cosgrove)
• “I don’t respect Boomers.  I just mock them.” –  Poppy Prescott (Joey King)
• “We’re low on fuel.” – Valentina  (Sofia Vergara)   “It’s always something.  I can never focus on just being evil.” – Maxime Le Mal  (Will Ferrell)
• “You will be the first to test our super serum, designed to transform you into cutting edge agents.  Or you might just explode.” – Silas Ramsbottom 

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’m unstoppable!” – Maxime Le Mal

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

• Megamind:  https://amzn.to/4cRJefp
• Minions: The Rise of Gru:  https://moviereviewmom.com/minions-the-rise-of-gru-movie-review/
• Boss Baby: https://moviereviewmom.com/boss-baby-confuses-critics-but-amuses-everyone-else/

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