DESPICABLE ME 2

US, 2013,
Voices of: Steve Carrell, Kristin Wiig, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Benjamin Bratt, Sean Hayes, Miranda Cosgrove.
Directed by Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud.

Despicable was certainly not the word that fans used for the original Despicable me. Everybody liked it, even with its sinister hero, the despicable Gru, who was working on a scheme to steal the moon – well, somebody thought they should do it!

But, at the end, Gru succumbed to the charm of three little orphan girls and reformed.

At the beginning of Despicable Me 2, Gru is maintaining his reputation for honesty, and is employed in making jams and jellies. However, there is a little deception for one of the little girls who was counting on the fairy princess coming to her birthday party – when she doesn’t turn up, Gru dons the costume and saves the day. The little girl reassures him she knows what he did but she won’t say anything to spoil the pleasure of the other children. So, all seems sweetness and light. And Steve Carrell offers his highly entertaining voice for Gru.

But, his ally, Dr Nefario (Russell Brand) decides that the honest life is too dull and goes off to work for another villain (Benjamin Bratt) wanting to transform the world into evil. The authorities of the Anti-Villain? League approach Gru to work on the side of good and bring the villain to justice. So, lots of funny adventures, Gru with his special weapons and skills – and the help of agent, Lucy (Kristen Wiig) who is wary of Gru but falls in love with him. The little girls all approve.

The creatures from the original films, the minions, who look like roly poly balls, whose voices are like kiddy mumbles, with silly giggles and naughty sniggers often steal the show. But… the villain is able to transform them into slimeballs who do his will. Gru has to combat them. But, there is a way for them to be changed back into their old selves. Plenty of jokey action here. And Dr Nefario has a crisis of conscience.

Undemanding, with some visual inventiveness, and some funny sequences – for children and even for adults.

1. The popularity of the series? The character of Gru? Of Lucy? The children? And, of course, the Minions?

2. The animation style, the look, the characters and their appearances, clothes? The action situations? The voices? The musical score?

3. The title, the focus on Gru? His evil past, his change, the relationship with Lucy, with the children? His activities for the anti-villain organisation? The range of adventures?

4. The plot development, the situations, the Arctic, the Mutagen?

5. Eduardo Peres, the legend, El Macho, the story the shark, the volcano? The Mall, the restaurant? The break in?

6. The Mall, the kids, Lucy, Gru and his date with Shannon, the humiliation? The kids enthusiastic about Lucy?

7. Floyd Eagle- Sam, the wig shop? Antonio?

8. Gru, His character, past activity? With the Minions? The closing of the case? Lucy going to Australia? The Taser gift?

9. The party, the elevator, the truth? Lucy and her hang gliding?

10. The Minions, the background of evil? The rockets, the mutations, being sent to all the cities? Gru refusing?

11. Lucy, El Macho, the badge? The role of Dr Nefario? The fake? The capture, the fight, the changing of the Minions?

12. El Macho, taking the Mutagen, the giant, purple, hit by the Taser?

13. Lucy, the rocket? The proposal, the escape – the wedding and the prospect of the happy family?