The mischievous family of Gru returns, this time facing the 80s villain Balthazar Bratt and discovering he has a long-lost twin brother named Dru, who is equally wealthy and eccentric. But when the Minions are left behind, the fun of the movie seems to disappear with them.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
After Gru fails to capture Balthazar Bratt (voiced by Trey Parker), a former 80s child star turned wannabe villain, he is fired from the Anti-Villain League, forcing his family to adjust. Meanwhile, Gru learns he has a long-lost twin brother named Dru (also voiced by Steve Carell), who invites him to join a heist to reclaim their former glory.
On the other side, Lucy (Kristen Wiig) tries to be a good mother to the three girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, while the Minions, abandoned by Gru, embark on their own adventure and end up in jail. The story runs parallel before converging at the end.
Voice Acting and Characters
Steve Carell does an excellent job voicing both Gru and Dru, clearly distinguishing the personalities of the twin brothers: Gru, who is stressed and mature, and Dru, who is lively, fun-loving, and enjoys heists. Kristen Wiig as Lucy is still sweet and warm, while the three girls remain the heart of the story, especially Agnes, who steals every scene.
The villain Balthazar Bratt, voiced by Trey Parker (creator of South Park), has a unique style with his 80s mannerisms and soundtrack, but he is underutilized. His motivation is thin, and his presence is not as memorable as Vector or Scarlet Overkill from previous installments.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
Kyle Balda directs with beautiful visuals typical of Illumination, with vibrant colors and smooth action scenes, especially the sequence where Gru and Dru use a wax-spraying car. The highlight of this installment is the 80s music woven in, such as 'Take On Me' and 'Bad,' fitting the retro villain concept. However, the pacing suffers when cutting between Gru and the Minions, making the rhythm less smooth than previous films.
Editorial Analysis
The third installment of the franchise tries to add freshness by introducing Dru and an 80s villain, but it makes the story cluttered and unfocused. The series' strength lies in family relationships and Gru's growth, but here it is overshadowed by the Minions' solo antics and repetitive jokes. While young fans may still enjoy the Minions, this might be the weakest entry in the series.
Verdict
<p><strong>Despicable Me 3</strong> remains entertaining for children and hardcore fans, but the scattered story and underutilized Minions make it lack freshness. If you're a devoted fan of Gru and his family, it's still a pleasant watch, but if you expect the fun of the first film, you may need to adjust your expectations.</p>
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Steve Carell voices two roles well, clearly distinguishing personalities
- +80s soundtrack is lively and fun
- +Beautiful animation with vibrant colors
👎 Cons
- −Story lacks focus, pacing is uneven
- −Minions are overused as comic relief
- −Villain Balthazar Bratt is not as memorable as previous ones
Top Cast
FAQ
It's moderately fun, suitable for children and series fans, but adults may feel it lacks the charm of the first film.
The runtime is 90 minutes.
It was released in 2017.
Steve Carell voices both Gru and Dru.
