The third film is more like a series of different vignettes more intent on introducing new characters than capitalising on what made the first two movies work. Among the new players is Dru (also voiced by Carell)’ Gru’s long lost twin brother, who ends up being more of a detractor than a participant. At least the new villain, Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker) brings a larcenous energy to the production played out against an ’80s soundtrack that will keep parents from nodding off.
Despicable Me 3 starts strong with Gru and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) losing their jobs as crime fighters. They fall out of favour because they are unable to capture Bratt, a former child actor who has become the menacing person he played on TV when he was younger. From his mullet to his dance movies, he’s evil.
The jobless Gru agrees to meet with his twin, a wealthy farmer in Freedonia. After coming together, Dru’s efforts to convince Gru to return to his evil ways to keep the family tradition alive lead to a plot to steal the world’s largest diamond that Bratt has taken. The majority of the film looks at Gru’s battle between going back to his old life or embracing the new loving world he has created.
Writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio – the team behind the other Despicable movies and the Minion’s solo film effort – fail to focus on the two elements that made the original movies work. The first movie drew strength from how a trio of little girls could touch the heart of an evil genius. Dealing with family issues, as seen through the eyes of very different people, created captivating emotional moments.
Directors Eric Guillon and Kyle Balda keep the pace fast and the visuals bright but there are so many detours from what are the strengths of the movie, the overall production comes across like the bubble gum bubbles Bratt uses as weapons. It’s pretty and sweet but there’s little inside.
In the end, Despicable Me 3 has twice the brothers but half the fun. — TNS
