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Despicable Me 3
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Movie:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Final Score:
Universal doesn’t have a WILD amount of hit animated film, but they struck gold with 2010’s Despicable Me. Like many of these animated adventures, the story line is cute, and the characters solid, but what really makes the films work is the side characters (something Disney was a master of). The minions were the single greatest appeal of the first (and 2nd) film, and even branched out on their own to create a solo film (that did only so-so) in style. Mini movies were created, and Illumination studios (a sub set of Universal) has made BILLIONS off the franchise. I loved Despicable Me and really enjoyed Despicable Me 2, but felt a bit worn out by the time the Minions Movie came out a few years back. Despicable Me 3 follows in the traditions of the first few movies and regurgitates the same father/daughter bonding mometns, combined with Gru’s love for villainy to create another adventure. The only thing is, the movies are wearing a bit thin, and there’s not a while lot of adventures left to be had that was as emotional and lovable as the 2010 smash hit. The third film in the franchise (4th if you you count the Minion’s solo movie) is cute and fluffy, but like cotton candy, not a whole lot of actual depth to it.
Gru (Steve Carell) and his new wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are still working as good guys for AVL, only to be foiled by one Balthazar Bratt (South Park’s one and only Trey Parker), a megalomaniac villain who once PLAYED a child villain on an 80s sitcom. The only thing is, Balthazar never actually got over BEING a child star and lives his live trying to fulfill the destiny of his old persona. No matter how imbecilic he may seem, Balthazar is smart enough to elude Gru and Lucy, effectively causing the crime fighting duo to get fired. Now that Gru and Lucy are gone from the AVL, they have to find out what their purpose in life is. Lucy is desperately trying to get an “in” with Gru’s adopted daughters, but she’s having a tough time with this step mom business. Gru, on the other hand, is going through a bit of a slump. He’s been fired from being a good guy, and he has no desire to go back to villainy, leaving him with very few options.
When Gru finds out that he has a twin brother Dru (also played by Steve Carell), he and the family head off to the little island where his long lost brother lives to reconnect. Dru is everything that Gru is not. He’s got hair, he’s rich, AND he’s a perpetual optimist. The one thing that he’s not, is a villain. However, that is not by choice, and Dru desperately begs Gru to teach him the tricks of the trade so that he can continue the family legacy of being the greatest super villains on earth. Against his better judgment, Gru agrees to teach Dru the art of villainy, as long as the person that they are stealing from happens to be none other than Balthazar Bratt himself.
Dru is kind of a side character (even though Steve Carell is obviously having a blast playing both Dru and Gru), and Trey Parker is more than capable of being over the top as Bratt. I was mildly disappointed that the minions were basically a side note in the movie (usually they’re the biggest pull), but the film’s innate sense of balance keeps it afloat and does so with charming alacrity. Even though it doesn’t exactly step outside of the mold, the film creates a likable family film that does well with the tools at its disposal. My only real criticism is the fact that there doesn’t seem like there’s much left to explore in the universe, leaving the franchise feeling a bit thin and worn compared to the 2010 film that started it all with heart galore.
Rating:
Rated PG for action and rude humor
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
• Deleted Scene with Intro by Dana Gaier
• Minion Moments
• Character Profiles
• The Making of Despicable Me 3
• Developing Dru
• The AVL Files
• Freedonia Visitors Guide
• Despicable Me TV
• "Doowit" Sing-Along
• Music Video
• Minion Mug Shot
• Wanted Posters
Final Score:
Despicable Me 3 doesn’t exactly do anything to push the franchise forward, but it IS an agreeable family film that has fun with the over the top characters. Gru is adorably grumpy as always, and Trey Parker’s addition as the main villain is probable the best change that the series has done in years. Universal makes for a stunning Blu-ray presentation, and an even better 4K UHD viewing. The increases between the two formats is becoming easier and easier to spot. So much so that I'm having a harder and harder time recommending a Blu-ray as an alternative to the 4K, unlike what I was doing early last year with mediocre increases in picture quality from Universal. While it’s not AS iconic as the first in the series, this entry into the Despicable Me franchise does well enough to work for kids and adults alike, making it worth a solid watch, in my opinion.
Technical Specifications:
Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker
Directed by: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
Written by: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 HEVC
Audio: English: DTS:X (DTS-HD MA 7.1 Core), DTS Headphone:X, Spanish DTS-HD HR 7.1, French (Canadia) DTS 5.1
Studio: Universal
Rated: PG
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: December 5th, 2017
Recommendation: Cute Watch
