Despicable Me 3 (2017)

The first Despicable Me came out in 2010, since then we have had an onslaught of minion merchandise. I for one don't care for them, didn't think they were particularly funny and I don't understand why people who don't understand memes have adopted them, but there we are. Despicable Me 3 follows Gru, ex villain, as he connects with his long lost twin brother Dru who wants to have one last family heist. 

Alongside that narrative we have the super villain Balthazar Bratt, who was a child star in the 80's and kind of a one hit wonder. He goes downhill after his voice breaks and ends up believing he's the character he played. He was a lot of fun, voiced by Southpark's Trey Parker, he was stuck in the 80's meaning he played a lot of 80's music and all of his tool and weapons were throwbacks to the decade. A bit of a novelty, I think a lot of parents will enjoy this throwback but the use of a portable cassette tape will be lost on the aimed demographic. 

So what do the target demographic like? Minions. They were there. They have a falling out with Gru and try it on their own and end up in prison. It was interesting I guess to see them make their own decisions or just see them in different environment.  But eh, same old same old, all I can ever think about is how they will be sold. Now there can be a bunch of minions in prison uniforms. And in the last scene wearing something different. I think they've been exhausted, unfunny but there, no real merit to the story but what you expect from them.

Steve Carell is great, some of the scenes it really felt like he was having so much fun playing both Gru and Dru. He's a likable guy and that comes across with both characters. The brothers grow together despite some differences they still have a lot in common. The few scenes that actually warranted a chuckle were basically Carell talking to himself. Each of the characters get their own side line stories to follow the main theme of the film, there's sweet development for Lucy, Gru's wife, as she learns to fill the mother position for the girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes. Agnes goes on search to find a real life unicorn with Edith as Margo ends up in a pickle with a local boy. Each sideline felt a little forced as just something for them to do whilst Gru pasted the time but they did manage to tie them both together with the overall message alright. 

The animation was spectacular, as should be expected with Dreamworks at this stage. The parts I found particularly engaging were the adverts for Bratts show, the animated characters using toy action figures that looked real. That was really impressive. And to be honest a little confusing to see something look so real with such exaggerated animated characters. No spoilers but there's a particular scene in the final act on a beach with Bratt's final show stopper and seeing that looked pretty amazing. The sound was great but Pharrell Williams is involved so what else is there to say. They used the theme 'Despicable Me' as well as a song from the original film. Lots of 80's tracks which were fun and worked well.

Pretty forgettable to be honest, but I say that as someone that find the first two the same. The kids in the screening didn't sound that impressed either, very few laughs. 5/10

CINEMATES - A