Throwback Thursday Review: 'Despicable Me'

Sorry for the string of delayed Throwback Thursday Reviews these past few weeks but I went to an advanced screening of Baywatch on Thursday and Comicpalooza Friday through Sunday. This Throwback Thursday may seem random but I didn't have another open slot to review Despicable Me before Despicable Me 3's release. I should have several reviews coming this week as I traverse further into the Alien Anthology leading up to Alien: Covenant this weekend, It's looking as though I'll have one Alien Anthology review a day this week. If you missed my review of Alien, you can find it at that corresponding blue hyperlink, and the next Throwback Thursday will be Prometheus to further tie-in to the release of Alien Covenant. Other reviews you can anticipate this May include Throwback Thursday Reviews over Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and new reviews like Alien: Covenant, Baywatch, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

'Despicable Me' Review

Despicable Me follows the exploits of vile villain Gru, who vows to steal the moon so he can be the greatest villain that ever lived. There's just one caveat, the adoption of three young orphan girls becomes embroiled in his scheme and he soon discovers his heart of gold. Despicable Me wasn't particularly groundbreaking for the animation genre, but it's a charming animated feature that has a nice dosage of sentimental satire.

Despicable Me was co-directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud with a script penned by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, and Sergio Pablos. The screenwriting team properly parody villainy and parenthood while the duo's direction helps to maintain an emotional element and sense of humor. One thing that I feel has become a source of contention for this franchise are the minions but quite frankly, the minions are a stroke of creative genius.

For starters, they fit into the narrative naturally considering most baddies have their own crew of cronies. Then there's the fact they appeal to children based on appearance alone and are semi-effective immature comedic relief. Even when they're annoying, it's easy to see why they're around because it's simply the ideal marketing ploy. The animation in Despicable Me isn't particularly pretty and looks rather substandard, but that's usually the case for Illumination Entertainment animated efforts.

Elsewhere, Despicable Me bolsters a fun soundtrack and an impressive comedic voice cast. Steve Carell doesn't just provide a goofy, over-the-top demeanor to Gru, but instills an underlying humanity to the vulnerable villain. The film really hits this home with Gru's backstory and the inclusion of Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, and Elsie Fisher as subsequent adorable adoptees Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Each of the girl's really bring a sense of realism to the project, as I have three sisters and am constantly reminded of them every-time I watch Despicable Me. The respective portrayals feel incredibly authentic because I've witnessed those traits in my own siblings from time-to-time and the screenplay captures the family dynamic and childlike wonder beautifully.

Meanwhile, Jason Segel plays the obnoxiously dweebish Vector, an ideal foil to Gru as a nerdy millennial Bond villain in contrast to Gru's evil antiquated ways. Vector's name in-of-itself is symbolic because a vector is a quantity with both magnitude and direction. He's a powerful force aware of his orientation. Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, directors Renaud and Coffin, and Jermaine Clement lend their voices to fill the supporting ensemble of eccentric characters encompassing the aged Dr. Nefario, Gru's apathetic mother, foreboding financier Mr. Perkins, gruesome girls orphanage head Miss Hattie, and a whole host of minions respectively.

While Despicable Me doesn't quite reach the heights of other triumphant animated features, it sustains a sense of fun and heart well throughout its ninety minute runtime. Despicable Me is an entertaining animated enterprise worth exploring for the laughs and tenderhearted message at its core.

Film Assessment: B

'Moana' Review

Nominated For: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song "How Far I'll Go" (written by Lin Manuel Miranda).

Moana observes the thrilling adventures undertaken by young Polynesian islander Moana alongside demigod Maui and dimwitted rooster Heihei to reconcile Maui's mistake and return island goddess Te Fiti's heart, effectively restoring balance to the island life. 

Moana is the second release from Walt Disney Animation Studios this year, the first being Zootopia, and these two releases couldn't be any more distinct (I'm curious to see if both manage to garner appreciation from the Academy come January/February). Moana is co-directed by four of Disney's previous collaborators (both in directing & writing capacities) Ron Clements, Don Hall, John Musker, and Chris Williams. The quartet managed to ensure Moana isn't generic as it should have been by focusing on character growth and story progression, even though they sprinkle elements and references to their previous Disney work. 

The concepts found in Moana sound tried and true, it's the basic archetypal heroine's journey we've grown to be familiar with and even saw earlier this year in Kubo and the Two Strings (Another fantastic animated offering from 2016). The heroine (hero) must set out on a quest to recover such and such items often requiring assistance from a supernatural being or a set of sidekicks. Moana also exploits the traditional Disney animated feature formula, but hey it works. 

However despite everything going against it, Moana still manages to distinguish itself from Disney's ever-expanding animated catalogue. If there were any nitpicks I have about Moana's screenplay penned by Jared Bush, the story was imagined by the aforementioned quadrupled directing talent, Pamela Ribon, and Aaron & Jordan Kandell, it would be that there were a few too many plot conveniences. Bush does though flesh out the charismatic characters of this prolific world in a way unlike most animated fare. 

The animation however was simply breathtaking, not a surprise considering Disney's track record but incredible to say the least. Disney animators craft rich character models suited for their surrounding exuberant environments and effectively blend a three-dimensional world with two-dimensional drawings in the case of Maui's tattoos and a few other choice moments. 

Moana's other strength is its spectacular soundtrack including superb Polynesian-inspired original music from lyrical genius Lin Manuel Miranda, of Hamilton and Into The Heights fame, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina. The terrificly talented trio include the empowering princess power ballad we've come to expect from just about every Disney princess release in "How Far I'll Go", a standout supporting character song with "You're Welcome", some memorable Polynesian-inspired tunes with "We Know The Way" and 'Logo Te Pate", and also know Mancina's score is delightful to listen to on it's own. The one song I'll admit not really caring for is "Shiny" but even I can't deny that it's catchy. 

The vocal ensemble amassed for the project is yet another high-point of Moana as each cast member's respective portrayal hits the nail on the mark. Auli'i Cravalho makes a splashing debut channeling the simultaneous apprehensive and adventurous spirit of Moana and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson interjects charisma aplenty into the self-centered demigod Maui. 

I was very impressed to hear both could not only carry a tune quite well but prove to have exceptional voices, and am also quite excited to see where Cravalho's career launches from here. Supporting cast members Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jermaine Clement, and Alan Tudyk voice the sagely Grandma Tala, stately father Chief Tui, a narcissistic crustacean Tamatoa, and the dense rooster Heihei who will make you laugh hysterically. 

If none of that was enough to sell you on Moana, I honestly don't know what will. Do know that there's a cute short film beforehand that's basically Inside Out meets the nervous system and a humorous on-the-nose post credits scene so be sure to arrive early and leave late. 

Moana's not Disney's best but it's a fun addition with all the great hallmarks of Disney's animated library; effective humor, endearing characters, exceptional music, gorgeous animation, invaluable messages and a riveting adventure. 

Film Assessment: A