Cinema Review - Despicable Me 2 (PG, 98 Mins)

Synopsis: Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.

Verdict: as a massive fan of the first film I had been anticipating this for months, more so than most of the other big summer releases, and it definitely didn't disappoint!

Following on from the first film with Gru now being a good guy I wondered where the film could go. The novel idea here was really incorporating the minions into the storyline more without it being a detriment to the central characters. The twists that the plot takes mean that unlike Scrat in the Ice Age films they don't feel like they've been dropped in for no apparent reason so it flows very well and it isn't overlong so by the end it doesn't feel like schtik that's been worn thin (watch out for a rendition of YMCA that should have you in fits of laughter!). 

The excellent voice cast involved help to bring the energy to the film. With comedy stars Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig involved you are guaranteed good comic timing with energetic charm. The three sisters are the heart of these movies though and are as sugary sweet as in the first one, even if they are given a little less to do this time despite there being a questionable love interest for Margo - there is another brilliant gag involving their soft-toy unicorn despite the fact we don't hear the classic "it's so fluffy I'm gonna die" line again.

As ever there is the 3D or not 3D question here. For the most part I didn't notice it add anything to the visuals and if anything dulled the vibrant, colourful visuals and made some scenes slightly blurry as though the 3D was rushed and therefore a bit botched. However there are some scenes, particularly in the end credits that were clearly intended to be seen in 3D with objects flying at you and all sorts. The animation still looks smooth and incredibly detailed though.

Whilst some of the originality of the first film has been lost, it is still laugh out loud funny and the introduction of some new characters keeps things fresh so that it doesn't suffer from the "Hangover Part 2" effect of being a complete rehash. Definitely a must see for fans of the first film.

4.5/5