Despicable Me was a fun family comedy, memorable more for its little yellow minions than its story or voice talent, which might not sound like much until you run down this cast list: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnet, Kristen Wiig, and Miranda Cosgrove. Let me repeat: the virtually interchangeable minions, who speak an unintelligible language, stole the show from that group. Not surprising, then, that trailers for the sequel have focused on the quirky yellow goofballs more than the human characters, but at some point there has to be more movie under the surface.
Right?
Well, either that’s true, or the minions have turned it up another notch. Despicable Me 2 premiered in Annecy, France Wednesday night at the Annecy Animation Festival, and the audience received it with standing, raucous applause. The Hollywood Reporter claims the audience was even singing along with the movie’s final musical number.
As far as the sequel’s cast goes, Carell, Wiig, Brand, and Cosgrove are all back, as are the other two of Gru’s (Carell) adopted daughters, played by Elsie Fisher and Dana Gaier. Segel, Andrews, and Arnet have been traded for Ken Jeong, Moises Arias (The Kings of Summer), and Benjamin Bratt (Javier Delgado on Modern Family). The plot this time around once again centers on Gru, but forces the former villain to become heroic as he’s recruited to help combat a powerful new menace.
Well, let the hilarity ensue. It seems there will be no short supply when Despicable Me 2 rolls into theaters on July 3rd.
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