In Despicable Me 4, the latest entry in Illumination Studio’s beloved series, Gru (voiced by the ever-charming Steve Carell) faces the understated menace of suburban existence. There’s something unsettling about Mayflower's seemingly perfect charm.
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| 'Despicable Me 4' ILLUMINATION & UNIVERSAL PICTURES |
It might be the almost indistinguishable cottage-style homes, all uniformly painted in eggshell white with immaculate pools, or it could be the affluent, self-centered residents determined to shun the unfamiliar. Whatever the cause, the atmosphere is undeniably off.
Under the direction of Chris Renaud and from a screenplay by The White Lotus creator Mike White and series regular Ken Daurio, Despicable Me 4 proves to be a dependable addition to this financially successful franchise. A fresh setting, a new antagonist, and new characters, including Gru and Lucy’s baby Gru Jr., provide plenty of fun and shenanigans to please existing fans.
Though the plot occasionally feels like a chaotic mix spread too thin, White, who also penned Illumination's delightful Migration, enriches the narrative with his ongoing fascination with the social dynamics of the wealthy. The Minions enjoy a wacky subplot that stands out as one of the film’s highlights, and a strong voice cast ensures the film remains entertaining and lively.
Despicable Me 4 kicks off with an electrifying showdown (highlighted by slick camera angles and intense music from composer Heitor Pereira) between Gru and a new antagonist, Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell). Their rivalry dates back to their days as students at Lycee Pas Bon, the top school for future villains. They cross paths again at a school reunion, which, despite one's criminal record, is still rife with old tensions, awkward interactions, and barely disguised competitive small talk.
At the event, Maxime, who has an obsession with cockroaches, reveals his latest invention—a device that grants him the attributes of the nearly indestructible insects. Gru, recently reinstated to the Anti-Villain League after the events of Despicable Me 3, attends the reunion solely to apprehend Maxime, which he manages to do following the latter’s dramatic demonstration.
Everything seems under control until Maxime, with the assistance of his bug army and his wife (a role played by the underutilized Sofía Vergara), breaks out of the Anti-Villain League’s high-security prison. Before his escape, he records a video message vowing to “exterminate Gru.” AVL chief Silas Ramsbottom (Steve Coogan) is understandably alarmed, prompting the organization to relocate the Gru family, now including the infant Gru Jr., to Mayflower. There, Gru, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Skyy Polan) take on new identities. When Agnes, particularly resistant to lying about her name—now Brittany—Gru humorously urges her to view it as “high-stakes pretending.”
The new identities prove challenging, and some of the most delightful moments in Despicable Me 4 showcase the family's efforts to blend into Mayflower. Gru ditches his iconic dark attire and scarf for khakis and pink polo shirts, taking on the role of a part-time solar power salesman and stay-at-home dad. Lucy transforms into a top-tier beautician, working in the quaint salon on Main Street.
Margo enrolls in a new junior high where popular girl Poppy (played excellently by Joey King) rules the social scene. Meanwhile, Agnes and Edith join a karate class led by a formidable instructor (Brad Ableson), resulting in some creative sequences, including a surprisingly intense supermarket chase featuring Lucy and the girls.
The voice cast delivers engaging performances, with Carell and King standing out. As Gru, Carell maintains the character's signature grumpiness while also highlighting the tender enthusiasm of raising his new baby. Bonding with Gru Jr., who rebuffs his father's affection, becomes Gru's main focus. Another priority is winning over the country-club family next door, who appear uninterested in their new neighbors.
Perry (Stephen Colbert) treats Gru with sharp disdain, revealing the subtle cruelty of suburban life. Patsy (Chloe Fineman) is more welcoming, even inviting Gru and Lucy to the country club for drinks and tennis.
Poppy, their daughter, emerges as the most overtly sinister and intriguing character. She quickly discovers Gru's villainous past (it’s unclear why the AVL didn’t scrub this from the internet) and uses this knowledge to blackmail him. Their reluctant partnership, which involves Poppy enlisting Gru for a heist, introduces new adventures and genuine character development often lacking in the Despicable Me series.
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