Review of 'Despicable Me 4'

Item: Despicable Me 4
Rating: 3.0
Author: Stephen Rice

4th film in the 'Despicable Me' series

Now a member of the Anti-Villain League (AVL) former super-villain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) attends a class reunion where he encounters Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell) who still holds a grudge with Gru for “stealing” his talent night act in school. Maxime reveals he has developed powers as a giant cockroach and threatens to turn Gru's new infant son Gru Jr (voiced by Tara Strong) but the AVL arrive and put Maxime in jail. A few days later is revealed that Maxime has escaped so Gru and his family are relocated to a safe house. The family includes is wife Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig), with their adopted daughters Margo (voiced by Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (voiced by Dana Gaier), Agnes (voiced by Madison Polan) and Gru Jr who appears is more interested in Lucy than Gru. As the family try to adapt to their undercover identities and their standoffish neighbours it is only a matter of time before the cockroach comes calling…

Another amusing chapter in the Despicable Me franchise that does not seem to have as much humour or even too much of a plot. It largely relies on the now-tedious trope of Gru's quirkiness. Once again, the Minions steal the show with their amusing antics. The amusing sub-plot with the neighbour's daughter knowing Gru's real identity shows signs of brilliance but ends up being all too short. The amusing characters from the previous films are sorely missed here…but I am not sure they could save this too much. Ok, it is fun, but it does not introduce anything new or interesting to the franchise.

Fun and amusing to watch but not too much new here though Gru's family life seems to be doing well…

Rating: “A bit better than average”

Review Date: 2026-06-13

Directed by: Patrick Delage and Chris Renaud

Studio: Universal Pictures

Year: 2024

Length: 94 minutes

Genre: Animation

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7510222/