Movie · 2010 · Animation, Comedy, Crime, Family, Science Fiction · 1h 35m · PG · English
Curator score: 5.8/10 (1.7M ratings)
Superbad. Superdad.
Overview
Gru is a supervillain determined to prove he’s the greatest by stealing the Moon. To pull off his plan, he adopts three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—intending to use them as part of his scheme. However, as Gru bonds with the girls, his cold, villainous exterior begins to melt.
Ratings
Curator score: 5.8/10
IMDb: 7.6/10
Letterboxd: 3.63/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
Metacritic: 72
TMDB: 7.3/10
Director
Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Production
Illumination, Universal Pictures
Cast
Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Jemaine Clement, Jack McBrayer, Danny McBride, Mindy Kaling, Rob Huebel, Ken Daurio, Ken Jeong, Charles Bright, Katie Leigh
Where to watch
Max
Curator Review
Verdict
A bright, fast-moving animated comedy with a surprisingly tender center. Its villain-turned-dad setup gives it more heart than the minion-era reputation suggests, and the voice performance keeps Gru funny, needy, and oddly lovable.
Best for
families looking for a crowd-pleasing animated comedy
viewers who like redemption arcs and found-family stories
fans of broad, character-driven studio animation
people who enjoy silly slapstick with a sentimental payoff
Skip if
you want subtle humor or sophisticated plotting
you dislike heavy kid-friendly comedy and cartoonish energy
you are already tired of the franchise’s minion-heavy pop-culture footprint
Overview
Despicable Me works because it treats its central joke seriously: a supervillain trying to be the biggest bad in the world slowly discovers he’s better at being a parent. That emotional pivot gives the movie a clean, accessible shape, and the three girls are used well enough to keep the story from becoming just a string of gags.
Worth noting
The comedy is broad, but the timing is sharp and the design has real personality. Gru’s voice performance does a lot of heavy lifting, making him both ridiculous and sympathetic without softening the character too much. The movie also has a playful streak of crime-movie parody that helps it stand out from more generic family animation.
Bottom line
It’s not the kind of animated film that rewards close analysis, and some of its humor is very much of its era. But as a brisk, warm, and highly rewatchable studio comedy, it lands. If you want a family movie with a little bite and a lot of heart, this is an easy recommendation.
Top Letterboxd reviews
James (Schaffrillas) (3.5★) · 7034 likes
Vector is the reason I work out. I have this fantasy where we start talking at the Vanity Fair Oscars party bar. We exchange a few pleasantries. He asks what I do. I say I loved him in Despicable Me. He laughs. I get my drink.
"Well, see ya," I say and walk away. I've got his attention now. How many guys voluntarily leave a conversation with Vector? He touches his neck as he watches me leave.
Later, as the… more
Jay (2.5★) · 3674 likes
phoebe bridgers 🤝 gru
“if i could give you the moon i would give you the moon”
adambolt (3.5★) · 2794 likes
why is vector so fucking hot
issy 🥝 (4★) · 1994 likes
mission despicable starring tom gruise
ty (5★) · 1578 likes
Why are some of y’all so harsh with this 😩 it’s humble and pure 😌