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| Photo: Universal Pictures |
Despicable Me remains one of the most beloved animated film franchises since its debut in 2010. The story of Gru, a supervillain turned world-saving secret agent, along with his charmingly chaotic Minions, has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
However, the latest installment, Despicable Me 4, released in 2024, has sparked a significant divide between critics and viewers, with many critics delivering harsh reviews while the general audience continues to show strong support.
The Despicable Me series started with a bang, quickly establishing itself as a staple in the world of animated films. The original Despicable Me (2010) received widespread acclaim, boasting an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its sequel, Despicable Me 2 (2013), also performed well, earning a 75% rating, affirming the franchise’s popularity.
With its unique blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and endearing characters, the series carved out a niche in a crowded market. The Minions, in particular, became a cultural phenomenon, leading to their own spin-off films: Minions (2015) and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). These films further solidified the franchise’s place in pop culture, although they didn’t escape criticism. The original Minions movie scored 56%, while its sequel, The Rise of Gru, managed a more respectable 70%.
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| Photo: Universal Pictures |
Despite the early successes, the franchise began to see a decline in critical reception with Despicable Me 3 (2017), which received a lukewarm 58% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the film still managed to entertain, it lacked the freshness and originality that made the first two movies standout.
Despicable Me 4, released seven years after the third installment, unfortunately, continued this downward trend, receiving the lowest score in the franchise's history at 53%. Critics pointed to the film’s lack of innovation and the over-reliance on familiar tropes that, while once charming, have now become somewhat stale.
The critical consensus seems to be that Despicable Me 4 failed to bring anything new to the table. While it delivered on the expected Minion mayhem and Gru’s misadventures, it didn’t manage to elevate the formula that had worked so well in the past. As a result, many reviewers found it difficult to overlook the film’s shortcomings, particularly when compared to the higher standards set by earlier entries.
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| Photo: Universal Pictures |
Interestingly, despite the critical panning, Despicable Me 4 has been met with a much more favorable response from audiences. The film garnered an impressive 90% audience score, a clear indication that many moviegoers still find joy in Gru’s antics and the Minions’ slapstick humor.
This stark contrast between critical and audience reception highlights a significant divide in how the film is perceived. For many fans, the familiarity of the characters and the nostalgic value of the franchise outweigh the criticisms regarding its lack of originality.
The strong audience score suggests that, while Despicable Me 4 might not have reinvented the wheel, it still provided enough entertainment value to satisfy longtime fans of the series.
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