I’m surprised how much I enjoyed “Despicable Me 4.” Usually, by the fourth chapter a movie franchise runs out of steam. There are a couple of exceptions to the rule, the “Lethal Weapon Franchise” of the 1980s and ‘90s and the “Friday the 13th” horror series of the same era.
We’re here to talk about the fourth entry in the “Despicable Me” franchise, however. A group of minions inadvertently become the test subjects for a new super serum called the Mega Minions, which manipulates their genes. There are shenanigans aplenty in this fast-paced animated tale because it doesn’t stop for a second or skip a beat.
The villain is Maxime, voiced by Will Ferrell, who was on screen last summer in “Barbie.” Ferrell’s an actor I have disdain for because I find him taxing. Sofia Vergara, of TV’s “Modern Family” and a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” is hilarious as Valentina, Maxime’s wife.
There’s a reason for the animosity between Maxime and Gru (Steve Carell). Maxime thinks Gru stole his talent show act back in high school. The baby, Gru’s son, doesn’t like his own father for some reason. He frowns at Gru, but looks lovingly at his mom Lucy, voiced by Kristen Wiig.
This inventive, comic franchise has endured partly because of the excellent script by Mike White, who wrote “School of Rock” (2003) starring Jack Black and directed by Richard Linklater, and co-writer Ken Daurio, who has contributed to the entire “Despicable Me” series.
There’s no official word yet about a fifth entry in the saga, but No. 4 is already such a hit I don’t see them slowing down anytime soon, a la the Marvel cinematic universe. There are lots of different directions this franchise can go. With several kids in the family, including the baby’s trio of sisters, there are possibilities galore.
I had fun with this one. It didn’t grate on me at all, even though Will Ferrell was in the mix.
Grade: B-
