Despicable Me 4 is back, bringing with it all the charm, humor, and chaos fans have come to expect. With Pharrell Williams once again providing a fantastic soundtrack, the film is elevated by a fun and inherently cool vibe that radiates with every note. This installment promises to entertain, even if it doesn’t quite reach the emotional depths of its predecessors.
Moving Music and Maniacal Minions
Pharrell Williams’ music is a standout element in Despicable Me 4, infusing the film with a lively and contagious energy. Every beat and melody enhances the scenes, making the adventures of Gru, the Minions, and their new friends even more enjoyable. Pharrell’s soundtrack brings a fun, cool vibe that fits perfectly with the film’s whimsical tone, ensuring that audiences of all ages will find themselves tapping their feet and humming along.
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The Minions are back in full force, delivering their signature blend of silly, fun, and over-the-top gags. Their antics are a delightful reminder of why animation can so wonderfully embrace the absurd. These indestructible, lovable characters manage to laugh at their own pain and jokes without making anyone just the butt of the joke. Their slapstick humor and goofy charm remain a highlight, ensuring plenty of laughs throughout the film.
All-Star Cast Gives All-Star Games Worthy Performances
The cast of Despicable Me 4 delivers expectedly fun performances, with some standout surprises. Sofia Vergara shines in her role, giving a breakout performance despite her character’s small and secondary status. Vergara’s comedic timing and vibrant energy make her scenes memorable and enjoyable.
Joey King’s Poppy is whimsically nefarious, setting the stage for what seems like a potential spin-off. Her character brings a fresh twist to the story, balancing the familiar with new, exciting elements. And, of course, the chemistry between Will Ferrell and Steve Carell is as strong as ever. Their dynamic transcends any medium, bringing an infectious joy to the screen that fans will love.
Fun but Surface-Level
While Despicable Me 4 is undeniably fun and packed with gags that entertain regardless of age, it lacks the depth that earlier films in the franchise managed to achieve. This installment feels much like Universal’s other grand franchise, Shrek, whose fourth film was enjoyable but didn’t resonate as deeply as its predecessors. The surface-level storytelling keeps it from reaching the emotional heights of the previous movies, making it a less impactful but still enjoyable experience.
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The film’s three storylines are entertaining on their own but fail to come together in a way that feels greater than the sum of their parts. The separate threads of the Super Minions and Poppy’s arc, in particular, have the potential for their own spin-offs but don’t fully integrate into a cohesive narrative. These plots might have been better received as individual specials, allowing each story to develop more fully rather than feeling like underdeveloped ideas forced into one film.
A Safe Bet For a Fun Family Experience
In the end, Despicable Me 4 is an expectedly fun addition to the franchise. It relies heavily on the fun factor, the undeniable chemistry between Carell and Ferrell, and the lovable Minions. Pharrell Williams’ transcendent music elevates the film, helping to smooth over some of the narrative’s rougher edges. While the film breaks no new ground, it delivers what it needs to – a fun family experience that will likely be a worthy financial endeavor for families and the studios alike.
The most exciting prospect, however, is the potential for a spin-off to take what is great about the franchise and create something profound that reignites the magic of the mainline films. For now, Despicable Me 4 offers plenty of laughs, catchy tunes, and heartwarming moments, ensuring it remains a safe and enjoyable choice for a family outing.
I give Despicable Me 4 a
5/10
Despicable Me 4 releases in theaters July 3, 2024.
About Despicable Me 4
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Screenplay: Mike White, Ken Daurio
Director: Chris Renaud
Co-Director: Patrick Delage
Producers: Chris Meledandri, Brett Hoffman
Genre: Action-Comedy
Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Miranda Cosgrove, Chloe Fineman, Steve Coogan, Chris Renaud, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan
Synopsis
In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4.
Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar®nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.
Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
Do you have your tickets for Despicable Me 4? Who is your favorite Minion? If Gru stole the moon, why is it still there? Let us know your thoughts on social media!
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