Can Anyone Explain What the Hell Despicable Me Is?
So there's this movie called Despicable Me coming out. There are some commercials making the rounds on TV, and a few posters have popped up here and there. It appears to be animated and in 3D, and Steve Carell's involvement is noted. I think Universal is the studio, but I can't be sure. In fact, beyond the aforementioned citations, I can't be sure of anything with this one. Am I the only one completely in the dark about this movie? If so, why? And if not, can you please explain it, starting with the title?
I'm not trying to be glib or snarky for snark's sake, either: Despite having made no efforts to avoid it, I sincerely have no idea what this movie is about, who's in it or when it's even being released. Sure, call it a job fail -- a professional lapse or, at best, a grave case of pop-culture user error. But that's kind of the point. If a film-beat regular doesn't have a bead on a major studio's summer tentpole, then how are the millions expected to turn out for opening weekend supposed to know? And: When is opening weekend, anyway? See, this is a problem.
Again, I could research all this online, but let's perform an experiment instead. How many of the following questions can you answer about the film without looking the answers up?
· What is the film about?
· Who else is in it?
· Is Despicable Me really the best -- i.e. clearest, grabbiest -- title for a movie apparently targeted at families?
· Those little yellow creatures in the goggles -- who are they and what do they do?
· Is it based on a comic book or a video game or something?
· Has anybody seen it? Is it any good?
Seriously, help Movieline help you. Or just move on to Inception and be done with it.
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
Um, dude you've been in a closet or something. This movie looks pretty damn good. This, Inception (and maybe Predators) are maybe the only decent movies left this summer. The reviews I've read so far are great and the cast includes some pretty funny people - Kristin Wiig, Jason Segal, Danny McBride, Russell Brand, Jemaine from Conchords. I'm not sure if it's based on a comic or anything -- so you got me there -- but I could google it for you and find out... It's about a villain who inherits 3 kids, and the guy owns a bunch of yellow minions (the twinkie guys in the commercials). Again, looks pretty damn funny to me. And I'm usually pretty critical of animated flicks. How to Train your Dragon was probably the only non-Pixar CG movie that I've been able to tolerate. Not sure if it's the best title for a movie, but it's a better title than "Shrek: It ain't Ogre till it's Ogre."
· What is the film about?
-Based on the theatrical trailers and commercials I saw, Steve Carell’s character Gru is the second best evil genius in the world who is constantly one-upped by his foe, the number one evil genius voiced by Jason Segel. He, for some unknown reason, seems to become the adoptive father to three children and has to tackle trying to be the most evil man in the world and being a good father to the kids.
· Who else is in it?
-Besides Carell the only people I know of are Segel and Brand.
· Is Despicable Me really the best — i.e. clearest, grabbiest — title for a movie apparently targeted at families?
-I think it works, because Gru is trying to be this great evil genius and yet has a soft spot for the children, who clearly are meant to bring out the good, playful side of him.
· Those little yellow creatures in the goggles — who are they and what do they do?
-They're like Gru's igors
· Is it based on a comic book or a video game or something?
-I'm pretty sure an original story
· Has anybody seen it? Is it any good?
-Clearly from my answers, that's a negative.
"What is the film about?"
It's about stealing money away from Toy Story 3.
It is obviously a remake of that Kate Hudson movie, Raising Helen.
I LOVE this post. This is exactly how I feel every time I see an ad for this movie. I know one thing for sure: those yellow thingies were on "Biggest Loser" a few times helping Jillian give her "Trainer Tip". And by helping I mean making noises that I didn't understand.
The only promotional material I've seen for this film has been a Best Buy cell phone app that apparently translates what those bespectacled creatures say during the end credits. While novel, this push seems misguided. How can you get people to care about some not particularly cute imps from a movie they've never seen? Don't they know that people who use cell phones in movie theaters are considered to be, um, despicable?
The yellow guys are minions. That's why they're in every other commercial here for IHOP (?) devouring "Cinaminions".
I will say, I've heard good things about this movie.
Come on, Barton... I mean Stu. It's obviously a wrestling picture where the bad wrestler with a secret heart of gold has 3 small children he has to protect.
As for the yellow guys? Who the f**k knows? Do they fart if you squeeze 'em?
THANK YOU! I have no clue what this movie is about either, beyond taking up half the screen during my precious 30 Rock/Parks and Rec rerun hour.
Best comment evah.
I would laugh but I just feel tired all the time... And feeling like a Zombie is no fun.
Thanks, Chron! I have to admit, it was a pretty difficult subject.
Honestly, I think you have been handicapped by all of the sequels and adaptations that flood the cinema these days. Nobody wonders what Toy Story 3, Shrek 4 or The A-Team are about. Along comes Despicable Me and everyone scratches their head trying to remember if their was a TV show in the '80's with the same name. As I recall, I didn't know what Up was about until I saw it either.
I didn't know much about Despicable Me (except that Steve Carell is in it) until recently I came across a whole bunch of featurettes and behind the scenes clips on MovieSet.com. I watched all these clips and know exactly what's going on now and you can get some insight from the actors behind the animated characters. These clips will get you laughing before you go see the real thing. Hope it's helpful! http://bit.ly/bWu5zo
If you enjoyed the movie Despicable Me, you’ll probably enjoy this Mr. Media Radio interview with screenwriters Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul. They also wrote Horton Hears a Who! and are working on an adaptation of The Lorax.
I've only seen the commercials but I still had a idea what it was about. Gru was focused on most so you had to see all of the commercails to really get to know the other villain in the movie. Those who are completely clueless obviouly didn't see the commercials or have ignored any previous cartoon movie made in the last few years. It's not that hard to figure out you guys.