Film Review – Despicable Me 4 (2024)

It’s seven years since the previous Despicable Me film. Not that it seems like it. And that’s down to the release of the second Minions spin-off in 2022, essentially making Despicable Me 4 the sixth in the franchise. You have to hand it to man-in-black villain Gru and his chaotic little yellow followers – they have staying power and, in the world of animation, they’re prolific. But there comes a point in any long-runner’s life when its makers have to decide on its future direction.

One-time arch-villain Gru (the voice of Steve Carell) has turned over a new leaf. Now a family man, he lives a quieter life with his wife, daughters, and recent arrival, Gru Junior, who’s determined to make his dad’s life a nightmare. Working for the Anti-Villain League puts his past to good use but when former adversary, Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell), threatens the family, they’re moved to a safe house and given new identities. But the teenage girl next door isn’t at all convinced by the new neighbours …..

That sub-plot involving budding criminal Poppy (the voice of Joey King) is one of a cluster of storylines that simply go nowhere. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with any of them, but instead of picking the best and developing them properly, the makers have simply stuffed them all into the film until it nearly bursts at the seams. It’s irritating, it’s a waste, and, worse still, it’s not this outing’s only weakness. It all boils down to this. A balance between Gru and his Minions has always been essential. Because the little yellow guys are so inherently funny, there was always the possibility they’d overshadow their master but Chris Renauld and his team had managed to make sure the action and the comedy was shared out equally. Until now. This time round they steal the whole film from under Gru’s sizeable nose, whether as the Mega Minions, a very familiar band of superheroes, or as Junior’s babysitters, or in a great running gag involving a vending machine. Gru simply doesn’t get a look-in and, when he does, he’s almost as weak as his adversary, Le Mal.

That’s not to say the film isn’t funny or entertaining. It’s both, but it’s all down to the Minions, whose glorious anarchy keeps the laughs coming thick and fast and the crazy action on track. They make up for all those sub-plots, the familiarity of the family set-up – the fact that Junior bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain Jack Jack tells you all you need to know – and an ending which feels like the makers didn’t know how to bring things to a close. While it doesn’t outstay its welcome, there’s a lingering feeling that the franchise’s energy and sense of direction have gone out of the window.

Despite all the laughter, Despicable Me 4 is the weakest in the series, yet there’s no denying its appeal at the box office. It’s gone down a storm in American cinemas and, with the summer holidays on the horizon in the UK, chances are it’ll be a huge draw for families here as well and there’s already talk of a Despicable Me 5 and a Minions 3. If either – or both – become a reality, they’ll need more than just celebrity voices to revive a much-loved – but now struggling –  franchise.

★★★

In UK cinemas from 12 July / The voices of Steve Carell, Kirsten Wiig, Will Ferrell, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Sofia Vergara, Steve Coogan / Dirs: Chris Renauld, Patrick Delage / Universal Studios / U