Despicable Me 4: A Disappointing Addition to the Franchise

Despicable Me 4 is a disappointing addition to the franchise, lacking the charm and humor that made the previous movies so enjoyable. Read our review to find out why this film falls flat.
Despicable Me 4: A Disappointing Addition to the Franchise
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

Despicable Me 4: A Disappointing Addition to the Franchise

The latest installment in the Despicable Me franchise has finally arrived, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to its predecessors. Despicable Me 4 is a mean-spirited and unfunny film that lacks the charm and humor that made the previous movies so enjoyable.

The Minions are back, but this time they’re not as lovable as before.

The story follows Gru (Steve Carell) and his family as they enter witness protection to escape the villainous Maxime le Mal (Will Ferrell). However, the film’s thin storyline and structure make it feel cheap and unengaging. The jokes are childish and meant to poke fun at adults, but they fall flat.

![Gru and his family](_search_image family in witness protection) Gru and his family try to blend in, but it’s not easy.

The character designs have also become more garish and exaggerated, making them less appealing to audiences. The film’s attempt to poke fun at adults through caricatures of a vain neighbor and country club star, bullies at a high school reunion, and unhelpful store clerks falls flat.

![Caricatures](_search_image caricatures) The film’s attempt at humor through caricatures doesn’t quite work.

The worst part of the film is Joey King’s portrayal of teenage aspiring villain Poppy. Her character is rude, unfunny, and pandering, making her scenes unbearable to watch.

![Poppy](_search_image Poppy) Poppy is a disappointing addition to the film.

However, there were two scenes that did manage to bring a smile to my face: a short gag at a tennis match and the bright, catchy final song featuring cameos from many of the past Despicable Me films.

![Tennis match](_search_image tennis match) A brief moment of humor in an otherwise dull film.

At the end of the day, Despicable Me 4 is a disappointing addition to the franchise. It lacks the heart and humor that made the previous films so enjoyable. If you’re a fan of the Minions, you might find it mildly entertaining, but for everyone else, it’s a shallow and mean-spirited film.

![Minions](_search_image Minions) The Minions are back, but this time they’re not enough to save the film.

There are better family movies out there, such as Inside Out 2 or IF. Don’t waste your time on Despicable Me 4.