Despicable Me

DESPICABLE ME (MOVIE)
Universal Pictures

Release date: July 9th, 2010
Running time: 95 minutes

Directors: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Writers: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Sergio Pablos

Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Julie Andrews

Do you remember that mean guy who used to live down your street when you were little? He scared all the kids, stepped on your cat’s tail, barked at your dog and never threw your ball back… What if he was actually a super-villain? Maybe he’s planning on stealing the moon so he can become the world’s #1 super-villain…

In this 2012 animated film from Universal Pictures, there’s really such a super-villain and his name’s Gru (Steve Carell). Inside his house is a secret underground lab where he comes up with his dastardly schemes like stealing the Time Square screen and the Eiffel Tower (the small one in Vegas). Aided by a mad (and yet very friendly) scientist, Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and a horde of mischievous little minions, they plot to steal a shrink ray from an up-and-coming super villain, Vector (Jason Segel), and use it on the moon, making it easier to pocket. There’s just one problem, Gru can’t seem to get anywhere past Vector’s hi-tech security to get to the shrink ray.

That’s until he spots three little orphan girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes, selling cookies. Gru comes up with a crazy idea to adopts the girls, managing to get around the vetting procedures with the help of the minions updating his records to include Noble Prize winner and other outlandish achievements. The girls aren’t so happy with their new father and have the sneaking suspicion he’s not really a dentist when he uses them to infiltrate Vector’s fortress and plant some cookie robots who will lead him to the shrink ray.

The plan is perfect, but the one thing Gru didn’t factor in was that he would start to enjoy his time with Margo, Edith and Agnes. When it looks as if he’ll choose to go to the girls’ dance recital instead of stealing the moon, Dr. Nefario returns them to the orphanage. But will this help him get back on track with his evil plans or will it spur him into becoming a little less despicable?

Thoroughly enjoyable, Despicable Me is super silly fun, especially with the minions who run riot throughout. You’re never quite sure what they’re raving about with their helium- voices, but together with Margo, Edith and Agnes they really make the film come alive. Scenes such as when one of the minions gets shrunk while another one tests out a zero gravity serum are hysterically funny, as well as the girls’ trip to a fun fair where Gru wins a unicorn for Agnes, to which she exclaims “It’s so FLUFFY!!!”

Another aspect of the movie I really enjoyed was the 3D. Though I don’t generally like 3D films, with animated films it’s really become an exception because there’s so much filmmakers can do with the characters, colours, depth and light. I think what they’ve managed with Despicable Me is the perfect balance of innovative 3D and fun storytelling.

As for any budding super-villains out there, while Despicable Me shows how much fun being one can be, it also gives kids a glimpse into some of the other important things like family and why it might ultimately be better to stay on the straight and narrow. Unless of course you’ve got a few thousand minions to help you out!

Patrick Samuel

The founder of Static Mass Emporium and one of its Editors in Chief is an emerging artist with a philosophy degree, working primarily with pastels and graphite pencils, but he also enjoys experimenting with water colours, acrylics, glass and oil paints.

Being on the autistic spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome, he is stimulated by bold, contrasting colours, intricate details, multiple textures, and varying shades of light and dark. Patrick's work extends to sound and video, and when not drawing or painting, he can be found working on projects he shares online with his followers.

Patrick returned to drawing and painting after a prolonged break in December 2016 as part of his daily art therapy, and is now making the transition to being a full-time artist. As a spokesperson for autism awareness, he also gives talks and presentations on the benefits of creative therapy.

Static Mass is where he lives his passion for film and writing about it. A fan of film classics, documentaries and science fiction, Patrick prefers films with an impeccable way of storytelling that reflect on the human condition.

Patrick Samuel ¦ Asperger Artist

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