Despicable Me 2

Less inspired than its predecessor, 2010's Despicable Me, this madcap caper showcases reformed Euro-supervillain Gru (Steve Carell) who has retired to rear his three adopted daughters. His resident gadgeteer, Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), has had a better offer—“more evil, full dental”—and Gru can't begrudge the doctor's departure, for the shared glory days of grand malfeasance seem by now long behind them. Then, Gru finds himself recruited by a spazzy special agent (Kristen Wiig) to thwart an incognito rival. As it happens, this heretofore unknown opponent's dastardly scheme involves, among other nutso ideas, morphing Gru's multitude of cute yellow minions into pernicious purple monsters. The minions should already be quite familiar, if only from this movie's relentless merchandising. Broad, brightly colored slapstick ensues, with some favorably Muppet-ish mayhem. The most logical thing about this film is its use of 3-D as an extension of cartoonishly exaggerated proportions.