Displaying items by tag: Steve Carrell

DESPICABLE ME 3

US, 2017, 90 minutes, Colour.

Voices: Steve Carrell, Kristin Wiig, Trey Parker, Julie Andrews, Steve Coogan, Pierre Coffin, Jenny Slate.

Directed by Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin.

If you have been following the career of intense mastermind criminal, Gru, as well as his conversion to the side of right, and also his devotion to agent, Lucy, then there is no doubt that you will want to see what they are up to in this third Despicable Me film.

And, of course, of course, there are the Minions, still with their bright yellow, still some of them with a touch of personality while there are hosts of almost anonymous others, with their particular intonations and language which we scarcely understand, and their propensity for being on the side of those against the law. The animation is the same and it has delighted audiences, especially younger audiences, in the previous two films and the Minions’ own feature and short films.

While there could have been more of the Minions in this film, they turn up at various times, bringing a sense of comic relief, in their turning against Gru because of his law-abiding missions, rounded up and going to prison and causing more than a rumpus there, escaping and flying through the air in their own contraption and able to help out in final confrontations. Steve Carrell voices again the character of Gru, and Kristin Wiig is Lucy.

If you have seen the trailer, then you won’t be surprised that one of the plot developments is the introduction of a villain par excellence, Balthasar Bratt (voiced by Trey Parker of South Park), a superstar child of 1980s television, a young successful criminal. After a bout of acne, he loses popularity and decides to retire to be a criminal in real life, seeming to have unlimited funds (probably his royalties) to create robots, planes, weapons. Gru has a mission to capture Bratt but just misses out so he is fired from the agency as is Lucy when she stands up for him. They retire to home with their three daughters and all seems to move towards a quiet film.

But, then comes the news that Gru has a twin brother, Dru (also voiced by Steve Carrell but in a higher register), so Gru contacts his making whoopee mother (voiced by, of all people, Julie Andrews!) who tells him the truth and he goes to find his long-lost brother who has yellow hair while Gru has none. The whole family moves into Dru’s luxurious home. But, Bratt is not to be put down and has stolen a jewel from Paris – which means, of course, that Gru will be after him again, with the help of Dru (who actually wants to be a criminal). So, finally, plenty of action as Bratt takes his plane and then his giant robot of himself and laser in a pretty successful attempt to demolish a lot of Hollywood, only to be defeated by Dru – and the Minions coming to the rescue.

And there it is, more or less what we might expect, a lively entertainment, especially for younger audiences.

DESPICABLE ME 4

US, 2024, 95 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Steve Carell, Kristin Wiig, Joey King, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, Miranda Cosgrove, Pierre Coffin, Steve Coogan, Stephen Colbert.

Directed by Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage.

We might wonder how often we use the word “despicable” in real life. However, since 2010 and the first Despicable Me film, the first thing we think of when we hear the word (well, most of those who are younger) are the films and, especially, with all respect to Gru, the Minions. They appeared in Despicable Me 2 in 2013, had their very own film in 2015, reappeared in Despicable Me 3 in 2017. And, of course, these films can be regularly seen on streaming. The Minions are always with us. But, it is something of a surprise to find that it is seven years since the previous film.

It takes up where 3 left off, the Institute for villains, the escapades of some of the graduates, the agency led by Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) engaging the help of now reformed Gru (the popular Steve Carell).

This time we have a new villain, top graduate to Gru’s jealousy, a Frenchman, Maxime (voiced by Will Ferrell). He is vain, something of a peacock in clothes and strutting, has an odd criminal girlfriend who spends most of her time putting on lipstick, determined to be a worldwide criminal phenomenon.

It doesn’t quite work out that way, Ramsbottom summoning Gru into action. Since we know Gru from the past, we know that this isn’t going to be swift justice being done, a whole lot of situations going wrong, Maxime actually caught and imprisoned but, of course, escaping and continued to threaten.

We have seen it before but we are happy to see it all again! This time we see Gru’s wife and children again but there is a new bundle of joy, a baby son. He is a bundle of joy for his mother, always smiling and goo-gooing, but scowling at his father. Which means then that the baby offers an opportunity for Maxime to take him as a hostage, Gru in pursuit (even on high buildings, on an aircraft, all over the place).

And the Minions, plenty of them, their shapes, yellow colour, range of situations, sometimes awkward, often to the rescue, then mumbling and chirping, even, at one stage, their Academy, and dozens of them there on screen. And we are thinking and feeling, long live the Minions!

Lots of action, lots of colour, lots of comic situations (and the question of how long this kind of action franchise can continue), happy family reunion, and the baby now goo-gooing its daddy.

1. The popularity of the Despicable Me series, Gru and his adventures, the presence of the Minions?
2. The animation style, colour, movement, settings, real and imaginative? The characters in this style? The range of the Minions? The voice cast? The musical score?
3. The continuation from the previous film, the Institute, villains, the management, the awards? The social, Gru dramatic arrival, with the Minions, his expectations, the clash with Maxime? Maxime winning the award? His speech and attitudes? Ambitions? The picture of his girlfriend, Valentina, lips on lipstick?
4. Maxime and his career, the clash with Gru, the threats, the threats to the family, their going to the safe house, the continued threats? The visit of the old lady from the Institute?
5. Gru, his wife, support, the family, the happy scenes, the teenage daughter, the little children, the scenes with the new baby, severe with his father, smiling at his mother? His finally being abducted, Gru to the rescue, Maxime and his controlling the baby, the baby finally acting, reconciled with father, family?
6. Maxime and his actions, crimes, reputation, daredevil? Is arrest, imprisonment? His escape?
7. The buildup to the confrontation between Maxime and Gru, the action sequences, in the air, the flight, the baby, over the city, precarious situations?
8. Ramsbottom, his organisation, warning Gru, wanting his help, supervision?
9. The comedy with the Minions, the characters, behaviour, voices and sounds, action? And the variety of Minions, being called from all occupations, gathering, the Minion force?
10. An entertainment for children and adults?

IF

US, 2024, 104 minutes, Colour.

Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, voices of: Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr, Alan Kim, Emily Blunt, Awkwafina, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Blake Lively, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Matthew Rhys, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, Amy Shumer, Jon Stewart, Brad Pitt.

Directed by John Krasinski.

If has been written and directed by John Krasinski, director of the app a Quiet Place films, and best known on television for The Office as well as being Jack I am. In checking on his background, we find that he has two daughters with his wife, Emily Blunt. And we get the impression that he might have created this story and this film for his daughters.

Certainly, the film has a great appeal for young girls – and their parents. It is a very pleasant film in itself, a pleasing film for its audience, an entertaining fantasy. What If…?

There is happiness and sadness as the film begins, the little Elizabeth, always called Bea, has a loving mother and father. But, we see her mother is ill and sadness in store for Bea.

Some years pass quickly. Bea (an impressively convincing performance from young Cailey Fleming) is now 12, rather sombre, asserting that she is an adult not a child. Her father, always a cheerful and jokey character (John Krasinski) is sick in hospital and Bea is staying with her grandmother (an enthusiastic Fiona Shaw).

But, there is something strange going on in the attic. And, here the fantasy begins. And a reminder that IF is short for Imaginary Friends. And the important question, where do Imaginary Friends go after we have forgotten them. So, we begin to find out, Bea mellowing a little, especially in the company of the rather quizzical Cal (Ryan Reynolds). And, to our delight, there is quite a range of fantasy characters, each very idiosyncratic. And it is very hard to go past delight in the giant roly-poly Blue, getting into all kinds of scrapes, eager, funny comments – and all with a welcome voice of Steve Carell. There is also a kind of pixie-insect, and dancer, Blossom (an enjoyably Phoebe Waller-Bridge).

Krasinski must have a lot of friends in the industry when we look at the huge list of voices of the various IFs – not that we recognise most of them while we are enjoying the film but a heavy satisfaction of having so many talented voices in the list (and the enjoyable credit which those charging out of the cinema as soon as credits appear will miss, the introducing of Brad Pitt as Keith the IF who did not speak – Keith is actually invisible provides a happy pratfall joke right at the end.)

And everyone joins together in a kind of mission, seeking out the adults who have forgotten their IF and all kinds of funny and serious attempts to rekindle their party childhood feelings.

Lots of sentiment, lots of fun, enjoyable for children, and even the possibility for melting the hearts of any sceptics – or critics!

1. The What if…? Of the title? The IFs, imaginary friends?
2. The target audience, younger audience, girls in the audience, families, parents and the older generation? Something for everyone?
3. The plot and its fantasy, audiences surrendering to the fantasy world, the fantasy world interacting with the real world?
4. John Krasinski as writer and director, sensitivity towards children?
5. The star cast, the voice cast and the celebrities, the joke about Brad Pitt?
6. The setting, Elizabeth, her age, called Bea, the relationship with her mother, with her choking father, the sadness, her mother’s death, the impact?
7. The years later, her father in hospital, staying with her grandmother, not wanting to be considered as a child, rather severe in her manner? Her visits to her father, his continually joking, her stern reactions, a relationship with her grandmother, in the house, the meals?
8. The noise in the Attic, her going up, the discoveries? Are gradually seeing the Ifs? Her initial reactions, interactions with them, softening her attitudes, joining with them in their mission, to reconnect older people who have forgotten their imaginary friends?
9. The range of the Ifs? Ryan Reynolds as Cal, his management role, interactions with the others, supervision, corrections? His own personality, sometimes stern, sometimes humorous? A guide for Bea? Steve Carell as Blue, an attractive character, his comments, his behaviour, getting into strife? The contrast with Blossom, appearance, voice, businesslike, background as a dancer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge? The range of the other characters, visually, the voice cast, their activities?
10. Cal taking Bea to Coney Island, the headquarters, meeting Lewis, Louis Gossett Jr, benign, advice, walking with Bea, his wistfulness, about the adults losing memories of their imaginary friends?
11. Episodes with the little boy in the hospital, his injuries, shrewd, talking with Bea, friendship, trying to get him an imaginary friend, the initial failure – and success at the end?
12. Her father, the flowers, the jokes, his concern and love, the operation, the aftermath, the friendly staff and nurse? Recovery?
13. Her grandmother, the photos, memories of the past, her grandmother thinking to be a dancer when she was young, the musical themes from Spartacus, her dancing, in touch with her past?
14. Blue, tracking down the awkward businessman, seeing his awkwardness, making the contact, disturbing him, the connection and the glow, going confidently into his work?
15. The characters and their discovery of their memories?
16. The effect on Bea, and his concern, the connection, and the discovery that he was her imaginary friend?
17. Memories of childhood, sadness of forgetfulness, joy of remembering?