by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
Gru and the gang are back and the family is growing as Gru decides to join the family business in Despicable Me 3.
You could say that Balthazar Bratt was born to be a villain. As a child in the eighties, he starred in his own TV show “Evil Brat” where he “was a bad boy.” When the show got canceled due to puberty, Bratt lost it and became a villain and has risen to the biggest villain in the world. Bratt attempts to steal the world’s largest diamond but Gru and Lucy foil his caper and save the diamond.
Unfortunately, Bratt escapes. As a result, the new director of the Anti-Villain League, Valerie Da Vinci (Jenny Slate), fires Gru and Lucy (because Lucy stands up for Gru). The unemployed Gru, desperate to find himself, ends up finding his twin brother, Dru instead. Gru’s mother confesses that Gru’s father did not die as she said but they were divorced and each took a child. Believe it or not, Dru’s father was a villain and Dru wants Gru’s help to become the villain, Dad would be proud of. Will Gru turn back to a life of crime?
Despicable Me 3 returns Steve Carrell and Kristen Wiig to the roles of Gru and Lucy but allows Farrell to double as long-lost twin brother, Dru. Trey Parker (South Park) joins the cast as Balthazar Bratt, a criminal stuck in the eighties who somehow makes it work. Julie Andrews returns as Gru’s mother and is delightful in her short stint in the movie.
As usual, the Minions steal the show but most of their fun has been seen in the commercials. The movie is likable at best, garnering just a couple small chuckles throughout its entirety.
Rated PG for action and crude humor, Despicable Me 3 has the action but is lacking in humor. Even though it may seem that there is room for a sequel, maybe this series has run its course. Despicable Me 3 was creative and interesting, just not entertaining nor funny. Hopefully, you can convince the children to wait for the DVD.
Grade: D