Despicable Me MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +3

Voices: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett. Animated family actioneer. Written by Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio. Directed by Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Mr. Gru, an “evil” genius, lives fairly unnoticed in a happy suburban neighborhood. It’s time, however, to prove once again just how despicable the villainous mastermind can be. So, he plots to steal the moon! But our world and the moon are saved when three orphaned girls turn his world upside down.

PREVIEW REVIEW: He’s not really evil, just in need of a little love. A mix of The Addams Family’s Uncle Fester and Mike Myers’ Dr. Evil, Mr. Gru delights in popping children’s balloons and threatening to kill the neighbor’s dog for pooping on his lawn. He’s so out of touch with humanity that when he adopts three little girls in order to further his plan for world dominance, he thinks they are to be treated like puppies (a water dish, a food dish, and a paper they can pee on). But soon the girls change his thinking and begin to break through to his unfeeling heart.

The story, the dialogue, the voice characterizations and the humor manage to hold the attention of not just little ones, but their accompanying older companions as well. And finally, after several disappointing uses of 3D in films like The Prince of Persia and The Last Airbender, here the 3D craftsmen get it right, causing audience members to reach out to grab an approaching object or press back into the seats with an audible “ooh” to express their sense of wonder.

Despicable Me is the best animated film of the year. It’s creative, witty, and properly uses 3D to its maximum effect. I gotta see it again.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Universal