Despicable Me 4: A Disappointing Sequel That Fails to Capture the Magic of the Original

When it comes to reviewing films aimed at children, the common refrain from critics is often, "Why are you criticizing a kids movie? It's not for you." While this may be technically true, it's important to remember that children are not idiots. The content they consume has a lasting impact, and if a movie is marketed as "for kids," they will view it as such. However, the best children's films are those that can captivate audiences of all ages with compelling stories and themes.

A Franchise in Decline: Despicable Me 4 Fails to Deliver

The Decline of a Once-Beloved Character

The Despicable Me franchise once had a character with depth and hilarity in Gru, played by the ever-reliable Steve Carell. However, in Despicable Me 4, Gru has been reduced to a mere background character in his own movie. The once-compelling supervillain-turned-hero has been diluted, leaving little for Carell to work with.

The rest of the cast is serviceable, but no one really stands out or delivers a performance that elevates the film. The only real standout is Will Ferrell, who brings his signature comedic flair to the role of the villain, Maxime Le Mal. Ferrell's portrayal of the Jean Girard-esque character is the closest the film comes to capturing the magic of the earlier Despicable Me installments.

A Tired and Uninspired Franchise

It's clear that the Despicable Me franchise has run its course. If the disastrous Minions spin-off didn't kill the series, then Despicable Me 4 certainly has. This latest entry is a lazy and uninspired effort, a hodgepodge of subplots thrown together to fill a 90-minute runtime, with only about 20 minutes of actual plot development.

The slapstick humor may be enough to entertain young children, but for those who have experienced the quality storytelling and character development of the earlier films, Despicable Me 4 is a disappointment. The fact that the franchise has proven it can do better only makes this latest installment more disheartening.

A Minions Clip Show with Meaningless Subplots

Despicable Me 4 is essentially a Minions clip show, with bits and pieces of meaningless subplots featuring the main characters. The jokes fail to land, the characters feel flat, and there's hardly even a coherent story to be found. The only consistent element across the Despicable Me films is the presence of Pharrell Williams' catchy musical contributions, but even that can't save this lackluster sequel.

As someone who looks for quality in every project, it's disheartening to see a once-promising franchise descend into such mediocrity. While the film may provide a fun night out for families with young children, it's a far cry from the engaging and heartwarming experience that the original Despicable Me offered.