'Despicable Me' (English, Animation, 2010)
Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Sergio Pablos
Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Miranda Cosgrove
‘Despicable Me’ by Universal Studios is in equal parts a movie for children and a 3D spectacle for viewers of any age. The plot revolves around a mediocre super-villain named Gru, determined to remain notable amongst younger, more flashy, villains by pulling off the world’s most shocking heist; stealing the moon out of the sky.
Of course, getting to the whole moon-stealer sequence is half the fun of the film. So we have multiple subplots in which Gru needs to steal the necessary equipment, a shrink ray, get a loan from the Bank of Evil and best his new rival Vector.
This allows the movie to veer off into sequences obviously included exclusively to show off its 3D content. Roller coaster sequences are always fun when you seem to be rolling down the track yourself, and the aerial battles between Gru and Vector in futuristic airships are all the more thrilling when it seems you could reach out and touch them at any moment.
‘Despicable Me’ is obviously a cartoon made with fun and 3D in mind, rather than a movie that decided to hop on the bandwagon while in post production. The 3D sequences are well thought-out and satisfying. They won’t have you ducking for cover, but may prompt you to reach out and try to touch Gru’s mischievous minions as they amble about the big screen.
There’s not much to say about ‘Despicable Me’ in 3D. A group of three young girls early in the film will help draw young viewers into the story and noted celebrities like Steve Carrell and Russell Brand give voice to most of the major characters.