Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Steve Carell | ... |
Gru
(voice)
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Jason Segel | ... |
Vector
(voice)
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Russell Brand | ... |
Dr. Nefario
(voice)
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Julie Andrews | ... |
Gru's Mom
(voice)
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Will Arnett | ... |
Mr. Perkins
(voice)
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Kristen Wiig | ... |
Miss Hattie
(voice)
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Miranda Cosgrove | ... |
Margo
(voice)
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Dana Gaier | ... |
Edith
(voice)
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Elsie Fisher | ... |
Agnes
(voice)
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Pierre Coffin | ... | ||
Chris Renaud | ... |
Dave the Minion
(voice)
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Jemaine Clement | ... |
Jerry the Minion
(voice)
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Jack McBrayer | ... |
Carnival Barker /
Tourist Dad
(voice)
|
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Danny McBride | ... |
Fred McDade
(voice)
|
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Mindy Kaling | ... |
Tourist Mom
(voice)
|
In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru, planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. Written by Universal Pictures
If Warner Brothers and Disney Animation Studios had ever had a baby they might have named it Illumination. The machine behind "Despicable Me" takes the wacky bits from old school cartoons and applies 21st century animation technology to produce a hip and well articulated masterpiece. From start to finish, the film was absolutely captivating and sophisticated with an engaging narrative and imaginative characters.
All of the characters were well-voiced, but I found Jason Segal's "Victor/Vector" villain particularly inspired. The little yella fellas were uniformly charming and I expect they'll probably have their own aisle in toy stores very soon. Carell's crazy villainy was perfectly tuned, as was Julie Andrews whose new voice adds a delightful note as the Despicable mother. The juvenile vocals brought both sass and sweetness to the story, and Kristen Whiig was smarmy in a distinctly southern way.
The humor is rich, with winks at classic cinema like "Taxi Driver", "Apollo XIII", and others. The Bank of Evil is staffed by former Lehman brothers execs, and recurring motifs and jokes create a comic continuity that is sustained through the credits. "Dispicable Me" was my second choice, but now I'm very happy was running a little late this evening.