Despicable Me 4 is the latest in a long line of titles that capitalizes on nostalgia with the only difference being the end result. Unlike other titles, this 4th installment promises to bring massive ticket sales over the July 4th weekend. Does that speak to the quality of the film? Not at all, in fact the series has become more of a mad lib than any actual quality animation project. Sure, the film has parts that will make you chuckle. I am of the opinion that anything with minions is destined to earn a bare minimum of an extra 1/2 star in an audience members rating. The team behind this film is very strategic in how the film is placed on the calendar. Its biggest competition is Maxxine, yes, that film. So, if families are given a choice between going to a family friendly flick that is light on plot or a film about porn star with rage issues, it really is a no brainer.
One of the few new additions to the 4th installment of the franchise is Joey King who voices Poppy Prescott. Poppy is the pre-teen next door neighbor to Gru who has along with his family entered the hero relocation program (see what they did) because his arch nemesis Maxime (voiced by Will Ferrell) has busted out of prison. Gru family is all attempting to live under new identities, but Poppy quickly figures out who he is and uses that to black mail him into committing a heist (which involves a honey badger). King’s moments in the film were actually far more amusing to me that anything Will Ferrell did while voicing Maxime. Some critics might disagree with that, but I say, to each his own.
Truth be told, it matters not what any of the critics or even what the Rotten Tomatoes score is for this film. Much like Inside Out 2, nostalgia seemingly puts butt into the seats in theaters. Even though the film does appear to wrap up these films, my guess is once the film makes well over 500 million at the box-office, we will see the 5th installment of the franchise announced. Money talks!
Dewey Singleton has been reviewing new releases in television and film for many years. Dewey's reviews have been heard in multiple markets (Houston Atlanta, Tampa). Dewey's past work has been with awardswatch.com, awardsradar.com, and bleeding cool. Dewey is a proud member of the CCA.