DESPICABLE ME 3 (2017)

                                                                                                  Critic - No.113

Director: Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin

Casts: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Russell Brand, Jenny Slate, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier

Language: English

Genre: Animation / Action / Adventure /

Plot:

Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more financially successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist to fulfil his family trade.

Review:

After starting out with an emotional and sharp product in ‘Despicable Me (2010)’, Illumination did take a few steps down in the clichéd ‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)’ and the wishy-washy ‘Minions (2015)’. However, this the makers have taken a very common plot line and turned it upside down and inside out.

The revelation of Gru’s twin brother has a very strong soap-opera texture but what makes this a fun ride is that it twists the plot line in many degrees. Each chapter in the film progresses with a very distinct character build up. The flavour of Anti-villain reminds us of the predecessor but this time they have been more inventive in the set pieces with generous sprinkles of laugh out loud moments. The zany attitude of the series is a little more in this, thanks to the unconventional antagonist.

The villainy of Balthazar Brad (voiced by “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker) is the heart of the film and as a maniac, who hates the world that forgot his evil series after his puberty break in the 1980s, simply steals the show. There are several occasions where he brings down the roof with his bizarre, retro dance fights.

The character developments are not entirely stretched as needed and left at a very surface level. We can’t possibly read the minds of the makers but one can point out the big scale climax as a sloppy pay off or a spoof of machine driven blockbusters of Hollywood. Watch and find out what I am faltering about here.

Even in a fun family flick like this, its sweet to see the makers instilling small emotions even in clichéd warm fuzzy moments. The underlying sentiment of mother-daughter is treated in a tasteful fashion as the other sub plot. The film is extremely sharp and crisp compared to their predecessors that work in favour for the film.

There are not as much heart melting moments in this but the screwball treatment of the ‘spy’ like screenplay makes the film flash pass in a second.

But what really ring the cashbox are the cute minions who even knock out the audience in the first fart joke during the title indent. Even though their screen time is considerably shorter this time, they serve as a bigger emotional purpose here with their bold decision to challenge their master for the first time.

Just as we thought that it sits comfortably as the fitting conclusion, there is a little brain tease at the end to continue this thread as a ‘spy vs spy’ story. Before we even go there, let’s wait and see what ‘Minions 2 (2020)’ can substantially add to this beloved franchise.  

VERDICT: 

Packed with more laughs than emotions, ‘Despicable Me 3’ ends the winning franchise in a spectacular fashion with it’s ability to excite, amuse and delight all sections of spectators.

CELLULOID METER – 3.5/5: