Movie Night with the Johnstons: Despicable Me4
Join Cat & Tyler every week as they review movies you can enjoy with family, or a date
night out. You can look forward to a brief summary of movies in theaters or on streaming
services and our take on them.
Tyler: Gru introduces us to his son Gru Jr. almost right away as the story foreshadows some
mischief between the father and son. Meanwhile we are whisked away to a chateau in
France where Gru attended high school for a class of 85′ reunion, with the big baddie
reveal of Maxime LeMal (Voiced By Will Ferrell), an eccentric evil villian who has
genetically altered himself into a cockroach-man to spite his former naysayers from
school.
The entire rivalry is based on a misunderstanding between LeMal and Gru in
school and takes its final blow when Gru arrests LeMal at the reunion, further
embarrassing him and driving him to create an army of cockroaches and swearing
revenge on his nemesis. Gru and family get put into witness protection following LeMal’s
escape from prison taking only a select few of his Minions with him to their new home in
Mayflower, and releasing the others to work for the AVL (Anti Villain League) in the
meantime.
That’s when the AVL turns five of the minions into the mega minions, giving them super
powers with the idea of capturing LeMal and progressing the AVL agents’ capabilities .
In Mayflower Gru painfully tries to fit in and not make things weird as he tends to do,
causing an aspiring young villain to recognize him and blackmail him for his help in a
heist.
Cat: The film opens with a brand new track from Pharrell Williams, and he doesn’t fail to
deliver yet another catchy song to add to the franchise. Your littles are sure to love
“Double Life”, and it’s one parents won’t tire of easily. The overall soundtrack is one I’ve
had on repeat since watching the movie.
I loved the side story for Gru with Poppy and felt we got to see some interesting
character growth for him. Parents new and experienced will be able to relate to his
struggles as a father of a new little one. I definitely would have liked to have seen more
screen time for the girls because they are always full of fun and adorable moments. For
me, the minions felt like a little more of an afterthought than in the other “Despicable
Me” movies, and it wouldn’t have changed the plot much if they weren’t there. Your
kiddos will definitely still get some laughs out of the minion’s antics all the same.
Maxime and his roaches might be a little off putting for parents or kids that are
particularly bothered by bugs, so definitely keep that in mind as they play a big part of
the movie.
Tyler’s final take:
Enjoy this happy go lucky movie of revenge, heists, ah ha’s, and laughs. 8/10 would
recommend just for family value alone. Everyone will laugh and have something to
connect with and enjoy in the film from Gru & Lucy to “the gurls”(Margo, Agnes, Edith)
and Gru Jr.
Cat’s final take:
I don’t think this is the strongest outing in the “Despicable Me” franchise, but it’s still full of fun
and laughs for the whole family. It made for an enjoyable movie experience and I would
definitely still watch it again. It’s a 7/10 for me, what it lacks in plot it makes up for in fun.
