Movies

I Watched The First Despicable Me For The First Time In Years, And I Think This Franchise Has Been Soiled By Its Successors

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As a cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the power some films possess to revolutionize their respective genres, leaving an indelible mark for years to come. Indeed, one such groundbreaking masterpiece is none other than “Despicable Me.

Initially, it might seem like we’re discussing the same film that your grandmother frequently shares on Facebook, the one with those mischievous yellow creatures – the Minions. You’re not alone in feeling this way, as I too have been inundated by Minion-related content over time. However, despite the frequent memes, let’s not forget that the “Despicable Me” series has proven to be quite popular and influential.

To be fair, the Minion craze we see today didn’t simply appear out of thin air; it had a beginning, right? It wasn’t an overnight sensation, but rather, it originated from the first “Despicable Me” movie. Since it’s been fifteen years since that initial release, I felt compelled to revisit the film. Now, let me be honest, I can’t help but feel that this series started to lose its charm with subsequent films. Let’s delve into it.

I Know That The Despicable Me Franchise Has Sort Of Become A Joke Now

So before I get into this, I know that the Despicable Me movies have become a joke now.

What I’m trying to convey is that Shrek isn’t just popular due to its “so bad it’s good” aspect. Instead, the characters have become iconic memes over time, which has actually brought in a new wave of fans during the 2010s. This renewed interest led to the announcement of Shrek 5. So, meme culture can indeed be beneficial and fruitful.

Because the popularity of the “Despicable Me” films isn’t very high, the humor falls flat and memes about them proliferate. Additionally, with the surge of Minions on the internet and their ubiquity across social media sites, these little characters have become a running joke – but not in an amusing sense. Instead, it’s more like an “I want to kick them out of my yard” type of sentiment.

Initially, these films weren’t particularly well-regarded, but I discovered something intriguing about the initial installment – surprisingly, it turns out to be quite decent.

The First Movie, However, Is Really Well-Done

Disregard my previous thought, as what I initially said was incorrect. Instead, let me express it differently: I take back my initial comment, for this film is not merely good; it’s exceptional, outstanding. I truly believe that Illumination had a winning formula with the original “Despicable Me” movie, because there’s an unexpected amount of warmth and emotion in this sequel.

To avoid giving away too much of the plot and ruining the experience for those who haven’t seen it yet, I’ll tread carefully. However, since it’s been fifteen years since its release, I feel more comfortable sharing some details. So warning: spoilers ahead.

In the movie, the central character, Gru (previously perceived as antagonist), intends to adopt three girls with malicious intentions against his adversary. However, over time, he unexpectedly develops feelings for these children, while a fierce competition ensues between him and Vector over who can grab the moon first.

In its core, the plot is delightfully creative and brimming with concepts that many will embrace. However, what sets it apart is the way it’s executed. Steve Carell’s portrayal of Gru is outstanding, and he continues to shine in later films as well. But his performance in this movie resonates more deeply because he skillfully conveys a wide range of emotions in a character who appears emotionless by nature. And that authentic emotional depth is what we all appreciate.

However, other aspects also make this a great movie.

The Trope Of A Grumpy Man Taking On Three Girls And Growing A Heart Never Gets Old

It’s no secret that the concept of an initially gruff individual transforming into a father figure or mentor for someone younger resonates deeply with many audiences. We’ve witnessed this dynamic repeatedly, from HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us to Disney+’s The Mandalorian. Even in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, characters like Tony Stark and Peter Parker embody this trope. This theme is so popular that it could be considered a gold mine for screenwriters, especially when it appears in children’s movies.

The reason it works so effectively here is because it feels authentic. It’s undeniable that Gru initially took the girl with ulterior motives from the outset. As the movie unfolds, observing the gradual change in his moral compass and the subtle transformations that clearly demonstrate the profound impact on him, significantly enhances the overall experience.

At the climax, when he ultimately rescues the girls, it feels as if you’ve truly deserved it – having witnessed his own transformation throughout. It’s reminiscent of watching the Grinch’s heart swell to three times its original size, and when it bursts out of him, that’s when he saves the town, making you cheer for him.

That’s what it was like watching this trope fully take form – and what a way they did it.

The Minions Weren’t Overdone And Were Actually Funny

What really stands out for me is how amusing the Minions turned out to be in the initial movie, which brings back memories of why we all grew fond of them, even someone like me who owned a Minion stuffed toy at one point.

You might be curious about what makes them excellent? The key is that they weren’t exaggerated or overly focused on their peculiarities, such as funny moments but not entire scenes dedicated to their strange noises while causing chaos in Gru’s schemes. Instead, they were a crucial part of the narrative and didn’t extend beyond their necessary role – unlike some other films where additional movies seemed unnecessary.

Originally, memes took off right here. Unfortunately, at some stage, they reached their peak, but now it’s hard to envision them returning to their former glory. Let’s cross our fingers and hope that we never witness the Minions in a live-action adaptation.

I Wish That Each Film Was Made With This Much Care, But Guess Not Anymore

It’s uncertain whether we’ll see additional “Despicable Me” films. However, given the ongoing success of the franchise from Illumination, it seems unlikely that we won’t have another installment, or at least another Minions movie, considering the massive box office success of “Despicable Me 4” on July 4th, 2024, which raked in close to a billion dollars.

Regrettably, the initial movie, brimming with exceptional writing and plotting, has been overshadowed by its sequels in my opinion. It’s fascinating to consider how deeply ingrained the Minions have become in popular culture, or the amusing memes that often escape our memory, tracing back to their origin. To me, this is unfortunate because I hold a deep affection for the first movie.

To put it simply, I strongly advise you to revisit that film since I believe it’s among Illumination’s finest creations, despite the fact that their more recent works don’t quite measure up. It seems like a good idea for another movie marathon – or maybe just this particular one.

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2025-07-23 23:09

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