October 18, 2010
Superior casting and stunning animation (definitely worth the extra three quid for the 3D version) do compensate for a somewhat predictable and teensy tad derivative story, but this is on the whole a delightful movie and one that should make you laugh aloud and perhaps occasionally have the odd lump in your throat.
Steve Carell is consumately brilliant voicing evil genius Gru, and Julie Andrews hilarious as his horrible mother. The concept of the east-European derived incompetent baddie whose plans always go pear-shaped has been largely borrowed by Universal from Disney's successful (and very endearing) cartoon Phineas and Ferb, in which Dr Doofenschmerz's increasingly unfeasible evil schemes are always thwarted by Perry the Platypus. And the little yellow Minions are pretty much those funny little green alien things from Toy Story.
But that apart this is a very engaging and witty script and a story that has its sentimental moments but won't let you down. Pretty damn good I thought, a cartoon that can truly be enjoyed by both moppets and parents.
Steve Carell is consumately brilliant voicing evil genius Gru, and Julie Andrews hilarious as his horrible mother. The concept of the east-European derived incompetent baddie whose plans always go pear-shaped has been largely borrowed by Universal from Disney's successful (and very endearing) cartoon Phineas and Ferb, in which Dr Doofenschmerz's increasingly unfeasible evil schemes are always thwarted by Perry the Platypus. And the little yellow Minions are pretty much those funny little green alien things from Toy Story.
But that apart this is a very engaging and witty script and a story that has its sentimental moments but won't let you down. Pretty damn good I thought, a cartoon that can truly be enjoyed by both moppets and parents.
