Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gru and his Minions return for family fun; some peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
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Despicable Me 4
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Parents say that the film offers a mix of humor and family themes, with some viewers finding it hilarious and engaging, while others highlight concerns over violence and mature content that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Reactions vary widely, with some praising the film as the best in the series and very kid-friendly, while others feel the humor is gross and the plot lacks depth and coherence.
- humor and heart
- violence concerns
- family themes
- mixed reviews
- engaging for ages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 40 kid reviews
Kids say that the latest installment in the franchise offers plenty of humor and action, showcasing Gru's valiant efforts to save his son while interacting with a mixture of old and new characters. However, many find the plot convoluted with too many storylines, resulting in an overall disappointment compared to earlier films, though some viewers still deemed it entertaining and family-friendly.
- action-packed
- convoluted plot
- family-friendly
- mixed reviews
- humor present
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DESPICABLE ME 4, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), now have a baby boy in addition to their three girls, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Polan). After Gru arrests the person who bullied him in high school, supervillain Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell)—who has harnessed the near-indestructible powers of cockroaches—Maxime publicly vows revenge. Gru isn't worried until Maxime breaks out of maximum-security prison, forcing the Anti-Villain League to usher Gru and his family into witness protection in the small but wealthy town of Mayflower. Once they're settled into their new home, Gru (now going by Chet) is blackmailed by his neighbor's observant daughter, Poppy (Joey King), a fan and aspiring villain. She wants Gru to help her commit a crime that will get her admitted into his alma mater, an international supervillain boarding school. Meanwhile, Lucy and the girls struggle with their new identities and neighborhood.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun, frothy sequel that's full of family-friendly adventure and silly Minion hijinks. Despicable Me 4 isn't a serious, emotionally driven story like Inside Out 2 or a seemingly final installment to a franchise like Kung Fu Panda 4. It feels like Gru and company could keep churning out movies (or a TV series), and, as long as the Minions showed up to cause comedic mayhem, kids would welcome every last sequel. There's not a lot of room for individual character development this time around, especially since Gru is busy scheming with his young neighbor, and there are new "Mega Minions" busy working for the AVL as an Avengers-style superhero force. Maxime is neither the scariest nor the most memorable of Gru's antagonists, and his partner (both criminal and romantic), Valentina (Sofia Vergara), has little to do besides hold her white lapdog and dramatically yell, "Ay, Maxime!"
Pharrell Williams' signature original songs support Heitor Pereira's score and a soundtrack that's capped off by Gru's goofy, sing-along rendition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." Screenwriters Mike White and Ken Daurio aren't reinventing the franchise with the predictable addition of a baby to the story, but they still know how to make audiences of all ages laugh at the broadest of comedic lines. While the Despicable Me sequels have yet to rise to the standard of the original, they're still a solid choice for families looking for lighthearted comedies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Despicable Me 4 compares to the other movies in the franchise. What aspects of these movies do you like most?
How do the characters demonstrate communication and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Do you think the movie's humor is appropriate for younger viewers? Why or why not? Why do you think the Minions are so popular with kids?
How does this sequel move Gru and his family's story forward? Do you think there should be more movies in this series? Do you want more Minions-specific movies or more about Gru and the girls?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 3, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : August 6, 2024
- Cast : Steve Carell , Kristen Wiig , Will Ferrell
- Director : Chris Renaud
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action and rude humor
- Last updated : January 14, 2026
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