By Melinda Miller
I’ve always enjoyed a good “kid’s movie”. So, when I had the opportunity to see the new animated flick Despicable Me, I didn’t hesitate. For those of you who, like me, have not lost the priceless ability to enjoy some of the same simple humor you did as a child, you must see Despicable Me. You could even take your kids, if you wanted. The raucous laughter of the tweens and younger in the theater indicate that they’ll probably love it as much as I did!
The overall plot of Despicable Me is, of course, predictable. An unlikely father (Gru, voiced by The Office’s Steve Carell) ends up with three orphans who get in his way but–surprise!–they melt his rough exterior to reveal a heart of gold and (spoiler alert) they all live happily ever after.
Plot aside, this is a unique animated movie. The first thing you’ll notice that makes it different from others you’ve seen lately may not be appreciated by all parents—depending on how taboo “rough” play is in your house.
The directors weren’t afraid to include some old-fashioned, Hanna-Barbera-style action. There are plenty of ridiculous explosions and various falling objects that I’ve personally missed from cartoons. Some of the opening minutes reminded me of the old Spy vs. Spy characters from MAD magazine. Good stuff, in my opinion.
This movie may also not be ideal if you’re trying to keep potty humor out of your kids’ play as there were some fart jokes and the like that some parents find inappropriate (but, of course, kids—kids like me, that is–laugh their heads off at the stuff!)
Just as notable as the movie’s humor and hijinks is the music. The opening song, an original hip-hop number for the movie by Pharrell Williams, was running through my head for hours. It was a perfect fit for the film as well as a good stand-alone number.
Your older kids will likely appreciate that the soundtrack includes modern music like they might listen to anyway (keeps it from being too much of a “baby” movie like some cartoons). But grown-up movie-goers will appreciate the addition of can’t-miss disco classics like “Boogie Fever” by the Slyvers and “You Should Be Dancing” by the Bee Gees. Overall, the music really keeps this movie going and makes it feel like one of your old favorites the very first time you watch it.
Finally, aside from the minions, Steve Carell’s performance, the not-so-subtle “grown up” jokes, and other hilarity I don’t have room to mention here, you should go see this movie to see little Agnes. She’s as cute as I like to think I was as a kid — and a lot funnier! I’ve been quoting the funniest lines from this movie for days and most of them are spoken by the darling, impish Agnes. She’s adorable, she’s funny, she sings, and she dances. I just might have to be her for Halloween.
A Southern Illinois native, Melinda Miller has lived in Champaign since coming to the University in 1999. Miller isn’t a mom (yet?), but she is often around children, be it while volunteering at her church’s children’s ministry or spending time with her four nieces and nephews (and another one on the way).
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