Despicable Me 4 is a worthy addition to the franchise. It is super cute and fun, with intriguing storylines for both the minions, and Gru and family.
Despicable Me 4 is one of the best in the franchise, as it is packed with action, fun, and several new lovable (and hatable) characters. When Gru and his family are forced to go into hiding because rival Maxime Le Mal is coming after him, things go even more off the rails than expected when the neighbor girl, Poppy Prescott, recognizes Gru for the villain he is.
For those who are big fans of the Minions and Despicable Me franchise, this movie is going to be the hit of the summer. Not only is it hilarious, but it weaves in enough fun for the whole family, not just the kids. Throwing in several new characters is smart, and a great way to help the movie not feel monotonous.
A New Additions Bring Great Dynamics
The Despicable Me movies always bring a familiarity along with them, Despicable Me 4 is no different. That being said, adding in a new addition the family with Gru Jr., and not one, but two new villains in Poppy and Maxime, keeps things feeling fresh and fun. In fact, this is one of the better of the sequels, if not the best film since the first.
Gru Jr. is a lot more like his father than he might want to be. He is grumpy and doesn’t exactly love Gru from the start. Because of this, the two end up having some absolutely hilarious father-son bonding moments. This new dynamic will be relatable to some parents, but is particularly fun because the girls loved Grus from the start – even if he didn’t want them to.
Other new additions to Despicable Me 4 include villains Popy Prescott (Joey King) and Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell). Both deliver many laugh out loud moments and fit into this world perfectly. Poppy is easy to like, right from the start. She is a moody teenager who wants to be a villain, what’s not to love?
As for Maxime, there is something that must remain a secret for fear of spoilers, but just know that he is unique, offering up one of the best character designs in the whole franchise. His rivalry with Gru is all because of something that happened in junior high, and just wait until you find out what it is.
The Mega Minions Add A Whole Lot Of Fun
The minions might have their own films, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bring some joy in the Despicable Me movies. In Despicable Me 4, because Gru must leave most of his minions behind, some of the end up experimented on by the Anti-Villain League.
After being injected with a super soldier serum of sorts, the Mega Minions are born, and they bring with them some of the most hilarious moments of the movie. Each with their own super power, it is easy to fall in love with them. Could we get an entire movie following them? Yes, please.
Overall Thoughts
Despicable Me 4 isn’t groundbreaking by any means. It has the same vibes and flow as the previous films, but the new additions add a fresh feel. There are jokes in there for older viewers, but the same fun that continuously hits home with the younger ones.
Gru’s family is expanding, which is nice to see, and brings with it new famly dynamics. The returning cast is as good as ever, but both Joey King and Will Ferrell are the standouts here.
Despicable Me 4 hits theaters on July 3rd, and you don’t want to miss it.
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About Despicable Me 4
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 (OscarĀ® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (OscarĀ® 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.
Despicable Me 4 comes to theaters on July 3rd.
Despicable Me 4 is a worthy addition to the franchise. It is super cute and fun, with intriguing storylines for both the minions, and Gru and family.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.