Despicable Me (2010)

Directed by Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud. Starring (voices) Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Will Arnett, Julie Andrews, Pierre Coffin, Kristen Wiig, Chris Renaud, Jemaine Clement. [PG]

Supervillain Gru (Carell) is eager to carry out the ultimate crime of stealing the moon, but needs to get his hands on a shrink ray possessed by fellow evildoer Vector (Segel). To do this, he heedlessly adopts a trio of orphan sisters (Cosgrove, Gaier, Fisher) for the means of distraction. Any chance they’ll soften Gru’s stony heart? Bright and pacy animated feature has the gooey heart of Disney/Pixar and the whiplash destruction and punchlines of Looney Tunes, plus a refreshingly wicked (if still family-friendly) edge most of the way—the orphanage gags are hilariously mean. The abrupt changes in Gru’s temperament can be frustrating (especially since he’s so much more fun as a right bastard) but the story’s sweetness is almost as infectious as the sourness. Exaggerated visual design and Carell’s broad accent are nifty, with plenty of amusing moments for all ages, not to mention the scene-stealing work from those odd, little yellow creatures called Minions. Hardly a groundbreaker in cinematic animation, and its knowing winks at the crass employment of 3-D don’t really work in two dimensions, but the flick is far too cheerfully infectious and humorous to complain. Followed by a couple of sequels and a spinoff (Minions).

80/100