“Despicable Me 4” released on July 3, 2024, is the latest in its franchise. But does its audience deem it as despicably wonderful as its predecessors?
At first, I thought this movie was not impressive. Being such a hyped-up film by the media, a better storyline and a more sophisticated villain were expected. Confidently speaking, I don’t believe that’s what the audience received.
In this film, Gru is still a respectable family man, as established in earlier movies. Naturally, Steve Carell executed the role brilliantly. His character’s central issue was to keep his family’s identities safe and avoid imminent danger throughout the film, taking him on an evil journey he couldn’t have seen himself on after turning into an anti-hero.
Although Gru’s character is well crafted, the side stories and plot are lacking in interest. Retreating from family life for a night to go on a heist to steal a high school’s mascot with a teenager doesn’t compare to some of his past villain work, such as robbing Queen Elizabeth II’s crown, or stealing the moon.
Maxime Le Mal, the antagonist of this film, was disappointing. Vector, Balthazar Bratt, and El Macho, being some of the past villains, were all more dangerous and intimidating than Maxime or “Insect Man”. This character didn’t give the audience a remarkable feeling of disaster as he should have and was unfortunately underwhelming.
Additionally, his way of wreaking havoc after some conflict and claiming revenge on Gru by stealing his newborn baby, Gru Jr., appeared as a little ill-suited. The process of Gru and his namesake having relationship issues, that are later to be solved in an adorable father-son reunitement, is cherishable despite this unsettling incident.
The plot of this film was not advanced, and a little hard to follow. The side stories weren’t relevant to the main plot, and none of it connected until the very end in an enigmatic mess. I believe the movie could have been structured better with more relevant details that tied together a little neater.
Overall, I believe that the characters are great, despite the villain, and the cast is a great collage of well known and talented actors. A redemption movie may be necessary in the future, so the “Despicable Me” franchise keeps its reputation.