The blend of silliness and randomness in "Despicable Me 4" continues to win hearts rather than awards - if you loved the previous movies, you're bound to enjoy this one. The style of humour is simple but effective, akin to a parent playing with their child; just like Gru, the former villain who is now fighting against the bad guys. The character's humour comes from his goofy, almost idiotic attempts at entertaining, even when no children or cute minions are present.
This instalment, directed by Chris Renaud who also wore the director's hat for the first two parts of the franchise and "The Secret Life of Pets" movies, feels thoughtfully composed rather than haphazard. The end result is a film infused with a casual, fun energy much like a good Mike Myers or Will Ferrell movie, or the comedic works of Peter Sellers, Inspector Clouseau, and Marx Brothers.
Will Ferrell lends his voice to the villainous character of a snobbish Frenchman, Maxime Le Mal, who blames Gru for an embarrassment during a school event. This grudge sends Maxime, joined by his girlfriend Valentina (voiced by Sofia Vergara), on his revenge quest against Gru and his family, leading to a comical chain of events.
A situational shift takes place when Gru and his family are moved to a ritzy neighbourhood, leading to a shift in comic tone. However, due to the focus on building this new scenario, Gru's confrontation with Maxime gets a bit lost in the melange. The film tries to balance out this gap with broader humour and a lot of visual puns.
Without delving too much into the plot, it's enough to say that it serves as a backdrop for a series of interconnected jokes. The writers, Ken Daurio and Mike White, have provided ample material to set up hilarious situations and sight gags. For instance, there's a sequence where Gru accidentally induces sedation and ends up comically riding a Minion.
The Minions continue to add to the overall chaos, replicating the Three Stooges' style with their slapstick comedy and adorable gibberish. To sum up, although "Despicable Me 4" isn't a must-watch, it still tempts the audience with its zany, light-hearted plot, loveable characters, and relaxed pace. The end credits reveal a humorous twist involving a superhero Minion that might leave viewers chuckling in anticipation.
