Universal Pictures
In the realm of children’s entertainment, “Despicable Me,” a 2010 animated film by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, has made a significant impact. The film’s protagonist, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), is an Eastern European supervillain whose main goal is to carry out notorious acts of villainy, such as stealing the moon, for personal fame.
The world of “Despicable Me” is filled with villains, thieves, and superpowered monsters, with a noticeable lack of heroes. It’s not until the sequels that a MI-6-style organization is introduced to combat crime. Eventually, Gru gives up his villainous ways and becomes a suburban father to three girls. In “Despicable Me 4,” Gru is portrayed with a wife and a young son.
The standout feature of the “Despicable Me” series is undoubtedly Gru’s Minions. These yellow, gnome-like creatures, who communicate in their own language and are easily distracted by snacks and humor, have become iconic cartoon characters of the 21st century. They’ve gained such popularity that they’ve starred in two of their own films.
As of June 2024, there have been six “Despicable Me” and “Minions” features, all of which have been box office successes, earning a total of $5.4 billion. Despite their financial success, none of the films have received high critical acclaim. They’re generally viewed as entertaining diversions rather than significant works of art. However, according to Rotten Tomatoes, one “Despicable Me” film has received more positive reviews than the others: the original film.
The first Despicable Me movie is still the best-reviewed
Universal Pictures
When we say “supreme,” we’re referring to the original “Despicable Me” film’s 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 203 reviews. It appears that critics appreciated the film’s unique approach to portraying “naughty” behavior and villainy, which contrasted with the typical hero-centric narratives of Disney or Pixar films. “Despicable Me” tapped into a child’s chaotic instincts, focusing on a character who sought to misbehave. This concept, combined with the film’s unique character designs, attracted a broad audience.
The Minions also played a significant role in the film’s success. These mischievous sidekicks, who seemed to be acting out their own mini-movies even while sharing the screen with Gru, were comedic masterpieces. They were comparable to other popular characters like Scrat from the “Ice Age” movies and the Rabbids from Ubisoft’s video games. Both children and adults were captivated by these peculiar little creatures, leading to a marketing explosion.
The third film, “Minions” (2015), suggested that the Minions were not created by Gru, but were eternal beings that existed to assist evil entities in their destructive endeavors. Despite their sweet, friendly exterior, the Minions have a small streak of rebelliousness. They are biologically programmed to perpetuate chaos. Unfortunately, they don’t fully embrace this potential, preferring instead to follow rules and eat bananas.
Interestingly, “Minions” received a 56% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, following “Despicable Me 2” (2013), which had a 75% approval rating.
Banana!
Universal Pictures
The fourth film, “Despicable Me 3” (2017), received a 58% approval rating, indicating that critics were growing tired of the series. However, it was the highest-grossing film in the series, earning over $1.03 billion. It was followed by “Minions: The Rise of Gru” in 2022, a sequel to “Minions” that featured a young Gru. The first “Minions” film was set in the late 1960s and included a lot of 1960s music and slapstick comedy. “The Rise of Gru,” set in the early 1970s, followed suit with a soundtrack full of ’70s hits. Despite expectations, “The Rise of Gru” received a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2024, “Despicable Me 4” earned $811 million at the box office. Despite its commercial success, critics gave the film an approval rating of only 56%.
But that’s not all. In addition to the six feature films, there are 20 “Despicable Me” short films, thanks to DVD special features. Most of these shorts focus on the Minions, who have become modern icons representing our capacity for clumsiness, childishness, and love of humor.
In the 2018 sci-fi film “Mortal Engines,” set in the 31st century, characters discover a pair of Minion statues. They conclude that the Minions were magical beings worshiped by people in the early 21st century. Considering the amount of merchandise and money dedicated to them, this isn’t entirely inaccurate.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
