Despicable Me 4 (Review)

Rating: 7/10

Expectations

I went into Despicable Me 4 expecting more of the same—Minions chaos, Gru’s awkward charm, and a villain with an over-the-top personality. And that’s exactly what I got. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on how much you still enjoy this franchise.

Animation

Let’s start with the positives: the animation is as polished as ever, and Steve Carell’s Gru remains a lovable goofball. The addition of Gru Jr., his newborn son who seems to instinctively dislike him, adds a fun new dynamic to the family. The Minions, as expected, steal the show with their slapstick antics, and while their humor can feel repetitive, it’s hard not to laugh at their ridiculousness.

Story

The villain this time around, Maxime Le Mal (played by Will Ferrell), is a flamboyant French supervillain with a cockroach-themed gimmick. His motivations—revenge against Gru for an old humiliation—are simple, but Ferrell’s performance makes him entertaining. The plot, however, feels a bit scattered. Gru and his family are forced into hiding in a wealthy neighborhood, leading to some amusing fish-out-of-water moments, but the pacing is uneven. Some sequences drag, while others feel rushed.

Overall

Despicable Me 4 is exactly what you’d expect—nothing groundbreaking, but a fun, lighthearted ride. If you’re a longtime fan of the franchise, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. If you’ve grown tired of the Minions’ antics, this won’t change your mind.