By: Russ Matthews
No one could have predicted that Gru (Steve Carell) and his Minions would become a part of the cinematic landscape when they were introduced to the world in 2010.
Yet, the villain-turned-hero and his yellow horde have become a mainstay in the pop cultural lexicon. As their fourth chapter is released to the world, parents need to be prepared to be inundated with Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and their friends in every store, restaurant, and television ad.
Seven years after Despicable Me 3, Gru continues working as an Anti-Villain League agent. His latest assignment is to apprehend Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell) and his girlfriend Valentina (Sofía Vergara) at their high school reunion. All goes according to plan until Gru’s arch-nemesis manages to escape and announces he wants to exact his revenge on this former villain and his family. Specifically, to apprehend Gru Jr., the baby son of Gru and his wife, Lucy Wilde/Blanche Cunningham (Kristen Wiig). As the family relocates to an AVL safehouse, they must adjust to fit in their new neighbourhood. In the meantime, the agency develops a new serum called the Mega Minions that makes new super-race creatures to help Gru and his family.
Are You Ready For Another Instalment?
Every family will need to determine if they are ready to return to the Despicable Me bandwagon. Despite introducing new characters, the family doesn’t age, and the storyline doesn’t change. An experience that is familiar to greeting old friends after a few years. Each meeting brings warm feelings of the past while conjuring up reasons why you had been avoiding them for years at the same time. New characters, villains, and super-minions give a fresh twist to a familiar trope that will bring families back to the cinema to laugh at the antics of the loveable creatures that will have little ones laughing all the way through to the predictable end.
Despicable Me 4 is a delightful blend of the familiar and the new, promising a fun and family-friendly adventure. With the inclusion of Will Ferrell and Illuminations’ own Minion Avengers, this movie is sure to inspire new laughs from these beloved yellow creatures and Gru’s family. Whether you love them or not, you can rest assured that this movie will deliver the same heartwarming and hilarious experience that the franchise has been known for over the years. So, gather your own minions and head to the cinema for a guaranteed good time.
What Should Parents Expect?
In Despicable Me 4, Gru and his family embark on their own ‘fitting in’ journey as they move house. This storyline presents a perfect opportunity for parents to initiate a conversation about how their children are coping with similar situations at school and in life. The film also delivers the same level of slapstick comedy that audiences have come to expect from this franchise, ensuring a fun and engaging experience for the whole family.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.