Review - Despicable Me

Despicable Me (2010), PG, 95 minutes - I was a little worried when 15 minutes into the movie I had already seen about 3/4 of the footage from the trailers that had been released for Despicable Me (including the teaser that first hit theaters last summer). Luckily though, it manages to be pretty entertaining.

Despicable Me tells the story of Gru (Steve Carell), a 'super' villain who has stolen many 'famous' landmarks in his career. He is outdone by a young up and coming villain named Vector (Jason Segal) who managed to steal one of the great pyramids, leaving in it's place an inflatable replica. Vector interferes with one of Gru's plots by stealing the shrink ray that he is after. Gru quickly realizes that he will not be able to infiltrate Vector's hideout without help. He enlists the help of 3 girls by way of adoption after he sees them gain entrance to Vector's lair by selling cookies.

From there the Despicable Me shows us Gru's attempts at regaining the shrink ray and carrying out the greatest heist ever (stealing the moon) while the adopted girls wear the cranky loner out of him. It's sort of The Grinch meets early Bond.

Steve Carell and Jason Segal are joined by a long list of recognizable actors/actresses, most notably Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, and Russell Brand.

The funniest parts we've already seen in the various trailers for the movie, but there is enough emotion and shenanigans in between to make it a worthwhile watch. I did see Despicable Me in 3D - I've found that the animated titles generally seem to make better use of the technology in general. I was a little disappointed in that regard. There were really only 2 scenes that really did a good job with the 3D. If you have the option, it probably wouldn't hurt to go for the cheaper 2D version.