By: Oberst von Berauscht (3 Beers)
A Toast
Many people still think that animation is just for little kids.
Not
Even 
FUCKING
CLOSE 
But the fact remains that animation studios have been struggling to find that crossover audience. Certainly, DreamWorks films have been successful for the most part and series’ like Shrek did reach adults as well as children. Although their recent attraction to poorly thought-out cheap cash-in sequels has begun to affect their credibility (they’re making a 3rd Madagascar why exactly?).
Pixar is definitely the most consistent example to the contrary. Even their sequels are solid films, with a reason and purpose. Their films have traditionally favored tight storylines and strong characters on equal ground with visual innovation (as opposed to shiny objects).
Whatever the cause of its late entry into the CGI animation game, Despicable Me is a stride in the right direction. The story is a twist on the typical superhero flick, choosing to follow struggling supervillain Gru (played by Steve Carell, and complete with vaguely Eastern European accent goodness) as he plots his career-making caper.
So often these comedy animations focus too much on cheap laughs, snappy comebacks, and goofy celebrity voices. Thankfully, the filmmakers chose their battles well. While the sight gags are plentiful and the dialog is full of clever quips, the filmmakers introduced a heartrending foil to Gru’s shenanigans, in the name of three young orphan children.
Beer Two
And that is kind of a problem, too. Take another drink, because you’ll need one to survive the children. Apparently the animators, the voice actors, and the directors all chose to portray the children as so innocently cute that it formed a perfect storm of adorableness (if it wasn’t a word, it is now).
Yes, that bad
This almost killed the movie for me. Fortunately, the story was funny and interesting enough to keep me from vomiting pure Fabulosity!
Beer Three
The third and final beer for this film goes to a significant plot hole I noticed in the film.
Spoilers!
In a critical scene of the movie Dr. Nefario (Gru’s inventor/friend) angrily calls the Orphanage, getting Gru to give up the girls, because the mission was more important. And after Gru gets the girls back, Nefario almost immediately embraces the girls, as if everything was ok. I have nothing to say, other than to call Shenanigans.
Point taken.
Verdict:
Worth commanding your minions to buy for you
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