My son and I were recently invited by London Mums Magazine to review the latest animation, Despicable Me 4.
Gru faces a new nemesis: a childhood rival who becomes a bitter enemy when Gru puts him behind bars. With an army of cockroaches at his command, he escapes from prison and threatens to kidnap Gru Junior. The family is forced into hiding and advised to blend in; quite a challenge for this unconventional family.
The snobby next-door neighbours have a supervillain wannabe daughter who manages to draw Gru (posing very unconvincingly as a solar panel salesman) back into crime.
Lucy gets a job at a hair salon, and the ensuing sideline plot of the disgruntled hair salon client is absolutely hilarious.
There is an endearing storyline of Gru trying to win over the affections of his infant son and being repeatedly rejected — haven’t all dads felt this rejection when their children were very young?
Meanwhile, four minions are given experimental superpowers to fight Gru’s nemesis. These characters felt a little too serious, but I’m really glad there were several reliably amusing interludes of fighting between the other minions. This, together with a great soundtrack, provides much cross-generational enjoyment.
The kidnap plot felt a little too close to Incredibles 2, and the new nemesis is just not as funny as previous ones.
Unfortunately, I think this franchise has somewhat run out of ideas. However, luckily for them, the original minion concept was such timeless slapstick genius that it will continue to have young kids rolling around laughing joyfully and parents chortling for years to come.
My 11-year-old son and I had fun at the premiere, and he won a superhero minion beach ball for his efforts in the money booth (bananas, not money).
I often think my kids enjoy being with me most when I’m at my silliest. It’s impossible to be serious about this movie, which is why I think Despicable Me 4 is worth a watch when will be in UK cinemas from this weekendd (from 12 July 2024).