It's been a while since we've had a super villain attempt to do something so bad, so dastardly that the forces of the world would come to a halt. Something like...shrink the moon and hold it ransom? Yeah, well that's what happens in Despicable Me. However, that is not what this movie is really about. It has it's Super Villain moments, but this film is so much more than that. But, and I say this with with a tinge of disappointment, the film lacks the big wow factor that other animated films have had.
The super villain Gru( Carell) has been at the top of the totem for quite some time, but when the kid in town, Vector (Segel), out super-villains Gru, he goes into panic mode. In order for him to perform his next deed, he must get a loan from the Evil Bank, which requires him to steal the shrink gun. Hey adopts three little girls to help him perform this task, but finds that having thee girls in his life has filled avoid that has been missing. Oh...and he has lots of minions.
The story in this one is a tad predictable, but what kids movie isn't? It is paced well and the time goes by rather quickly, which is never a bad thing, especially when you are watching a movie with children. The writing is very well done, with some well placed comedic moments. Speaking of which, there were many moments that had me laughing pretty good, as well as the nearly packed theater. The problem I ran into was that the film lacked the "umph" that so many animated films have had lately, so that keeps this film from being at the level of such films as Up! and The Incredibles, which is where this film could have easily been.
The voice-over work was interesting. Take Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, for example. Every time I saw him on screen, I would expect a voice from Mike Myers, mainly because he looks so much like Dr. Evil. Not to say that Carell isn't good, because he was great, it just threw me off a bit. The one I really didn't care for was Vector, voiced by Jason Segel, most recently seen in She Out of My League. It just wasn't a good match and compared to other villains in children's films, he just doesn't compare. The ones who really made the film were the three little girls Gru adopts and his minions. Very entertaining and it makes you want to take them home with you.
This is a fun movie for kids and adults alike. There are moments that will make the adults giggle a bit and of course the silly humor for the kids. There really isn't anything too crude for the young 'uns so parents need not worry. The film could have been at a higher level, but that doesn't take away the fact that it is still very fun and entertaining.
Grade: B