Review of ‘Despicable Me 4’: A movie that follows a familiar formula but still manages to shine at times.

Gru Jr’s character, cute as can be, ends up fitting into those typical story patterns, where the innocent kid unknowingly helps out the bad guys.

When you decide to watch a Despicable Me movie, you’re looking for two things: lots of Minion craziness and some over-the-top villainy. The best parts of Despicable Me 4, as always, are the Minions’ hilarious antics and their unique way of speaking. Sadly, these funny moments are brief. The movie tries to juggle multiple storylines that don’t quite connect. While Despicable Me 4 tries to be different from its predecessors, it ends up following a familiar pattern, resulting in a forgettable experience with occasional laughs.

In this installment, Gru (played by Steve Carrell) attempts to bond with his new son, Gru Jr, who isn’t too fond of him. Meanwhile, he faces off against an old foe, Maxime Le Mal, seeking revenge for past grievances. The film feels like a patchwork of different parts forced together, resembling Frankenstein’s monster. By trying to give everyone a moment to shine, Despicable Me 4 suffers from shallow subplots. For example, a cute karate scene between Edith and Agnes doesn’t add much to the main story. Similarly, a long supermarket scene with Lucy (played by Kristen Wiig) feels more like a comedic side trip than a meaningful plot development. Even the Minions, usually the comedic heart of the film, only make brief appearances. However, a highlight in the movie is the unexpected humor between Maxime Le Mal, voiced by the amusingly French-accented Will Ferrell, and Valentina, portrayed by Sofia Vergara (bringing her inner Gloria from Modern Family).

Illumination really brings the wow factor in Despicable Me 4 with its stunning visuals. From a coffin turning into a weaponized wheelchair to a chariot sprouting bat wings for an epic aerial battle, the creativity shines through. The Minions add their signature humor, from officiating a lopsided tennis match to hilariously managing baby duties like cleaning and diaper changes, providing plenty of laughs along the way.

Towards the end of the movie, Gru and Maxime surprise us with a rendition of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears. In a fun post-credits scene, all the past villains from the Despicable Me series groove to the music. Among them, Valentina’s drawn-out ‘sigh’ perfectly captures that ‘meh’ feeling some viewers, including myself, might have felt about the film overall.

Film: Despicable Me 4

Director: Chris Renaud

Starring: Steve Carrell, Will Ferrel, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Wiig, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Pierre Coffin

Rating: 2/5 stars