The ex-criminal mastermind Gru, his daughters, and those wacky minions are back for another wild adventure in Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 4. And this time, the gang is taking on suburban life.
Gru (Steve Carell) is still working for AVI (Anti-Villain League) and loving life with his family. He’s also busy trying to connect with the newest addition to their clan, baby Gru Jr. However, Gru’s life gets turned upside down when he learns that master criminal Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrel), who Gru helped capture, has escaped and is determined to exact revenge on Gru and his family.
So, Gru uproots his family and settles down in a quiet suburban town called Mayflower, assuming new names and occupations. Gru’s now a solar salesman, and his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), is a hairstylist. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Skyy Polan) are not happy about the move or about taking on new identities.
“Think of it as an adventure,” suggests #GirlDad Gru, attempting to put a fun spin on their impossible situation. The big move also affects the minions, and just three stay with Gru and his family. The others return to AVL headquarters to get back to work.
While trying to blend in and make friends with their new neighbors, Gru meets Poppy (Joey King), who turns out to be an aspiring villain. And Poppy knows exactly who Gru really is. Poppy knows she’s got the upper hand and threatens to expose Gru and his loved one unless he teams up with her to execute a big heist.
Meanwhile, Maxime and his wife (Sofia Vergara) hunt down Gru and get their revenge by kidnapping Gru Jr.
Loud, chaotic, and soulless, Despicable Me 4 is a messy, even irritating, addition to the animated film series. It lacks all the charm and heart of the first film, replacing those key ingredients with too many silly, underdeveloped subplots, and zany antics.
The voice talent is still top-notch, led once again by Steve Carell as Gru, the once sinister master villain who is now a loving husband and father. His only desire at this point is to keep his family safe and happy. Carell helped create and bring to life this hilarious animated character and still portrays him flawlessly.
Joey King is a pleasant new addition as Poppy, the rising teenage villain who really idolizes the old Gru and yearns to be just like him. The heist she plans with Gru is one of the few high points in the film. But, unfortunately, it’s over way too soon and turns out to be nothing more than a minor subplot.
Another silly and unnecessary subplot involves the creation of the “Mega Minions” — regular minions who undergo a Captain America-like experiment to create a new super crime-fighting team. Their storyline feels forced and out of place within the film.
The greatest crime of the film might be the lack of attention (and screen time) given to Gru’s daughters. Once central to the Despicable Me films, Margo, Edith, and Agnes are barely involved in the antics in this fourth installment. They’re basically reduced to just being background players. None of the girls receive a meaningful storyline that allows for character growth.
Overloaded with subplots that go nowhere and missing the appeal and spirit of the earlier films, Despicable Me 4 is a disappointing and forgettable entry in Illumination’s animated film series.
GRADE: C-
MPAA Rating: PG for action and rude humor
Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Directed By: Chris Renaud
Studio: Universal Pictures
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