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Despicable Me 2
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
More minions and romance make for a sweet, silly sequel.
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Despicable Me 2
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Despicable Me 2 : "Underware" Soundtrack is funny to hear
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What's the Story?
In DESPICABLE ME 2, retired supervillain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) lives happily with his three girls -- Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher) -- their trusty minions, and Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), who's developing a line of jams and jellies for the family to sell. Then one day, a mysterious woman named Lucy (Kristen Wiig) kidnaps Gru and takes him to the underwater headquarters of the Anti-Villain League, where director Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) explains that a dangerous bioweapon that can turn living creatures into purple killing machines has been stolen by a supervillain whom they believe is hiding at the Paradise Mall. The AVL wants Gru to infiltrate the mall and find out which shop owner has plans for world domination. Gru reluctantly agrees and poses as a cupcake baker, with Lucy his partner. Gru suspects the mall's Mexican restaurant owner, Eduardo (Benjamin Bratt), but becomes irrational when Margo falls for Eduardo's smooth-talking son, Antonio (Moises Arias). Meanwhile, Agnes desperately wants Gru to fall in love with Lucy so she'll have a mother, and the minions keep disappearing. Gru must once again the save the day, with the girls at his side.
Is It Any Good?
The directors here have made an entertaining (albeit less revolutionary) sequel that's worthy of the hype, particularly when it comes to the minions. The first Despicable Me was such a revelation: A supervillain antihero meeting three adorable orphans seemed like it would be hard to beat in originality. The quirky little yellow minions are irresistibly hilarious, and they steal virtually every scene they're in with their banana-loving, mischief-making shenanigans -- culminating in a laugh-aloud minion cover of the '90s ballad "I Swear" (a lovely bit of nostalgia for parents who grew up in the '80s and '90s). In addition to the fantastically funny minions and the once again wonderfully unique score by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira, the plot is simple but sweet. Wiig's Lucy and Carell's Gru share a bantering chemistry that's definitely not the "damsel in distress meets her prince" dynamic of so many other animated romances.
Ultimately, the Despicable Me movies are about family, and that's what makes them so easy to love. Gru is now a father first, spy/retired supervillain second. His girls are his everything, and when Margo's heart is broken by Antonio (the ultimate cool tween, with his floppy hair and leather jacket), or when Agnes (who rivals Monsters, Inc.'s Boo as the cutest animated child ever) can't recite a poem about motherhood, he's there with a kind word and an encouraging hug. Forget Daddy Warbucks -- Gru is the best bald adoptive dad in popular culture! Even the scenes of mild peril will obviously end up all right, because audiences know that a super dad will do anything for his kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how sequels typically compare to the original movies. Do you think Despicable Me 2 is as good as Despicable Me? What other sequels live up to their predecessors?
How does the cartoon action in this movie compare to others you've seen? Does this kind of media violence have more or less impact than what's in live-action movies? Why?
Some critics have called the depiction of restaurant owner Eduardo stereotypical. Do you agree? Why or why not?
How do the characters in Despicable Me 2 demonstrate communication and compassion? Why are these important character strengths?
How do the two romances in the movie compare to each other? In what ways does Gru's experience with Lucy help him understand Margo's situation with Antonio?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 3, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: May 31, 2022
- Cast: Benjamin Bratt , Kristen Wiig , Steve Carell
- Directors: Chris Renaud , Pierre Coffin
- Inclusion Information: Indigenous actors, Latino actors, Female actors
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: rude homor and mild action
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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