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Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, Despicable Me 4 is an engaging continuation of the franchise that embraces its absurdity with joyful abandon. While the narrative may feel patchwork—woven together from a series of delightfully funny moments rather than a tightly structured plot—it manages to charm with its irreverent humor and whimsical spirit.
At the center of the film is Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), who finds himself facing off against a new adversary: Maxime Le Mal, an absurdly snooty Frenchman brought to life by Will Ferrell. Maxime, a former classmate has nursed a grudge against Gru since a talent show debacle decades ago. His elaborate scheme for revenge includes a transformation into a genetically engineered cockroach man and enlisting an army of tiny, helmeted cockroaches, leading to a series of uproarious confrontations. Does any of this make sense? No. And if you are asking yourself that question, this isn't the film for you.
The film takes Gru and his family to a comically over-the-top suburban neighborhood, filled with McMansions and a cast of eccentric characters. Here, they adopt outlandish backstories—Gru as a solar panel salesman and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) as a top-tier hairdresser—setting the stage for a mix of domestic chaos and villainy. The juxtaposition of Gru’s antics against the backdrop of pretentious suburbia creates a rich comedic vein, ripe for exploration.
Renaud and Delage expertly navigate broad humor, offering up laugh-out-loud sequences that recall classic comedies. One standout moment involves Lucy’s chaotic hair appointment gone awry, resulting in a supermarket chase reminiscent of Terminator 2’s T-1000. Such visual gags and clever nods to consumer culture—like the cereal aisle featuring “Skinny Bits” and “Atomic Sugar Bombz”—make for a delightful and rewatchable experience.
Co-written by Ken Daurio and Mike White, the script prioritizes humor over strict narrative coherence, providing a canvas for voice actors and animators to craft comedic gold. The film reveals in its slapstick sensibilities, featuring scenes where Gru accidentally jabs himself with a sedative and hilariously rides a Minion like a miniature donkey. This kind of chaotic creativity will resonate with audiences of all ages.
Moments of character-driven humor also shine, such as the adorable interactions between Gru and his new neighbor, Poppy Prescott (Joey King), who is eager to become a supervillain herself. Their misadventures are peppered with genuine charm, illustrating the film’s skill in blending heartfelt moments with sheer silliness.
The Minions remain a highlight, delivering their trademark slapstick humor and chaotic energy. Their antics—complete with pratfalls and over-the-top physical comedy—will have audiences roaring with laughter. A particularly clever gag involving a Minion volunteering for a dangerous experiment showcases the franchise’s ability to craft humor that appeals to children and adults alike.
While some might question the necessity of another entry in this beloved series, Despicable Me 4 embraces its delightful frivolity. It knows it doesn’t need to take itself seriously, and that confidence is infectious. The film culminates with a whimsical post-credits scene featuring a levitating Minion, providing a charming conclusion that leaves audiences giggling long after the credits roll.
In the end, Despicable Me 4 is a spirited, entertaining addition to the franchise, filled with laughter and heart. It’s a celebration of family, friendship, and the unending joy of silliness. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, this film is a reminder that the best entertainment, oftentimes, is simply about having fun.
BONUS FEATURES ON DIGITAL, BLU-RAY™ AND DVD:
- Game Over and Over – After stumbling upon a powered-up game controller inside Gru's lair, the mischievous Minions discover its ability to control one another, unleashing mayhem as they compete for high scores.
- Benny's Birthday – Benny finds himself trapped in a time loop of a Minion-style birthday party, encountering uproarious mischief at every turn.
- Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes
- Class of ‘85
- Minions at the Reunion
- Minions at Home
- Big Day Out
- Karate Round 2
- Gru vs. Treehouse
- Defibrillator
- Mega Minions Mega Mix
- Mega Minions in
- Lockdown
- Despicable Dialogue – Watch Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, and the rest of the cast perform some of their silliest lines in this hilarious montage of recording booth moments!
- Meet the Cast – Get to know the actors behind your favorite characters! Featuring some of your old favorites like Gru, Lucy, and their girls as well as new favorites like the Prescotts and villains Maxime and Valentina.
- Steve Carell: Gru
- Kristen Wiig: Lucy
- Joey King: Poppy Prescott
- Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Madison Polan: Gru’s Girls
- Stephen Colbert & Chloe Fineman: The Prescotts
- Sofia Vergara: Valentina
- Will Ferrell: Maxime
- Making Of – The cast and crew of DESPICABLE ME 4 share a behind the scenes look at the creation of the fourth installment of this iconic franchise! Learn about the story, the new characters, the animation process and more!
- Mega Minion Mayhem – Assemble the Mega Minions! Learn about the development of the five most unique Minions to date.
- Rogues Gallery – Using the AVL’s state-of-the-art facial recognition software, we look back at the most nefarious villains from past DESPICABLE and MINIONS films.
- How to Draw – Join Head of Story, Habib Louati, as he shows us how to draw the Mega Minions – Dave, Mel, Jerry, Gus and Tim!
- Mega Dave
- Mega Mel
- Mega Jerry
- Mega Gus
- Mega Tim