I was really looking forward to this film, as it had good previews and is getting awesome reviews, but have to say it was a total let down. It had potential and good moments, but overall it just fell completely flat. Maybe it would have been better in 3D, but I doubt it, as there were certain scenes that seemed like they were the “3D” scenes, and the rest didn’t matter. To me this film falls to the folly that so many children’s films do, of just targeting children. Sure there were a few older jokes, but mostly this was for little children (and they did enjoy it) and the story nor the characters never really hit it enough to make a film that adults can enjoy. The animation is great, but unlike Pixar they just don’t get how to target a wider audience. Oh well.

The film starts with the original teaser, with a bus of US tourists in Egypt going to see the pyramids, and it turns out one has been stolen and replaced with a blow up version. We then return to america and follow the self proclaimed super-vilain Gru (Steve Carell) who we see making children cry. His assistant Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) calls to tell Gru of the theft, and that all other villains are now seen as nothing. Gru then plans his biggest heist, to steal the moon, by first stealing a shrinking ray. He heads to the bank of Evil, but is turned down for a loan by Mr. Perkins (Will Arnett) whose son it turns out is Vector (Jason Segal) who stole the pyramid, and who Gru freezes his head, making an enemy. Gru goes and steals the shrink ray anyway, with the help of his little yellow minions, but as they escape it is stolen from them by Vector, and Gru can’t get into Vector’s base. Gru sees three orphan girls Margo Miranda Cosgrove). Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher) get in while selling cookies, so he hatches a plan to adopt them to get into Vector’s base.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS...

Gru goes and charms the nasty Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig) at the orphanage and adopts the 3 girls, but doesn’t know what to do with them at all, and they cause him trouble, but he does start to bond with them, even having fun with them at an amusement park.

Meanwhile Gru has Doctor Nefario build cookie robots to help with the heist, and with the girls unknowing help manages to steal back the shrink ray. Mr Perkins still refuses the loan, and Gru despairs, but his minions pitch in so they can build their own rocket with their own money.

Dr. Nefariio calls Miss Hattie and has her take the kids back, as they are a distraction to Gru, and he doesn’t want to let them go, but does.

The plan is taking place on the same day as the girls big dance recital, but Gru goes and steals the moon, but rushes back to the recital, but he is too late, and he finds a note that Vector has stolen the girls and wants the moon.

Gru gives Vector the moon, but Vector reneges and leaves with the girls and the moon, but the shrinkray turns out to not work forever, and the moon starts to grow as Gru follows. Gru manages to save the girls with the help of his minions.

Gru’s mother (Julie Andrews) is finally proud of Gru, as he has proved himself a better parent than her, and is now happy with his children.

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PRETTY LAME I MUST SAY! Just too kiddy with stupid jokes, and not enough good character. It sounds good on paper, but was not done like it should have been!