The Despicable Me franchise is back with their fourth movie, delivering another round of Minion-fueled chaos, slapstick comedy, and family fun. Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, Despicable Me 4 follows Gru, now a dedicated Anti-Villain League agent, as he faces off against his newest enemy, Maxime Le Mal, a interesting and vengeful villain from his past.
Forced into witness protection with his wife, Lucy, and their growing family—including newborn Gru Jr.—Gru tries to adjust to “Normal” life while also dealing with his mischievous Minions and a new threat looming in the background. The film keeps up the series’ signature humor, blending fast-paced action with absurd yet entertaining antics.
Visually, the movie remains vibrant and engaging, packed with the same cartoonish energy that has defined the franchise. The Minions, as always, steal the show with their ridiculous schemes, though some jokes feel familiar rather than fresh. Will Ferrell’s Maxime Le Mal is a fun addition, though his character doesn’t even compare to the impact of past villains like Vector or Balthazar Bratt.
While Despicable Me 4 doesn’t break new ground, it’s still somewhat watchable and entertaining and still provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the series, particularly younger audiences. The humor, action, and heartwarming family moments make it a fun, lighthearted watch, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original.
Rating: 5/10 – A fun but familiar adventure. It’s best enjoyed by longtime fans and younger viewers. The franchise was fine as it was, but they really didn’t need a forth one honestly. It felt more like a cash grab more than anything, or maybe I’m just getting old, and don’t see the appeal to it anymore. Yet I don’t regret the one-hour and 34 minutes watching the movie, I do want my 30 dollars back.
