Minions have become favourite cartoon characters in recent times, there is no denying that their popularity has grown with each passing day.

Despicable Me 4, another movie featuring the loveable characters, is a recent addition to the list. We also have Gru and his family in the movie, but the sad part is that he is not the supervillain this time, but a secret agent. Voiced by Steve Carell, Gru is a family man with a son to look after. The family was living a routine happy life until one of the bad guys he helped capture, rans away from prison.

Gru’s old rival Maxime Le Mal, has a backstory with the villain-turned-hero. Le Mal is a Frenchman who attended Lycée Pas Bon, Gru’s alma mater. Also known as Cockroach Man, Gru’s rival is voiced by Will Ferrell. His accent reminded me of Inspector Clouseau from Pink Panther movies. Italian actress Sofia Vergara voices Le Mal’s wife, Valentina, and together they lead an army of intelligent cockroaches, wearing tiny army helmets, to wage war on Gru’s family.

They plan to kidnap the family’s new baby, Gru, Jr. Sometimes the plot reminds you of the Incredibles 2 movie, which more or less was quite similar in the story — a new place to live, a set of new neighbours with new names. The scene when Gru reveals to be a salesman is funny, while Lucy (Gru’s wife) adjusting to her new life as a hairdresser, has its share of troubles.

There is another problem for Gru, the teenage girl who lives next door knows about his past. Poppy Prescott, voiced by Joey King, wants to be a supervillain, dragging Gru into a scheme that takes Gru back to his ‘old job’.

The movie made fun of superheroes and the destruction they were capable of. The way the five minions get transformed into ‘Captain America’ kind of superheroes, gave some hope of Avengers-type action scenes, but eventually, their clumsy acts dashed whatever hopes one had.

Directed by Chris Renaud, who was also behind the two Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets movies, made sure that the movie represents the positive side of a blended family, besides promoting truth and trust. Kids can also learn the value of friendship, siblings, and families, in a minions way.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 17th, 2024