Despicable Me 2 
Starring: (Voices of) Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Elsie Kate Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Nasim Pedrad
Directed by: Pierre Coffin & Chris Renaud
Rated:PG
Run Time: 98 mins
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Comedy/ Crime
Opens July 3rd
By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com
Welcome back Minions & Super Villains! The lovable characters from “Despicable Me” are back for a round two, bringing more minions, more villains and more action for audiences to chew on.
When we last left retired villain, Gru (Steve Carell - voice) and his adorable adopted daughters, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove - voice), Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher - voice) and Edith (Dana Gaier) they were settling into their new life as a big, weird family. Picking up the story at Agnes’s birthday party, Gru demonstrates how much he had come along as a father when the fairy he hired cancels on him, leaving him no other option other than to strap on a pair of wings and a crazy get up to appease a bunch of kids. When the festivities died down, Gru is kidnapped by Anti-Villain League agent, Lucy (Kristen Wiig - voice), who tries to convince Gru to work with the League to find out who stole a powerful serum, PX41. The serum, in the wrong hands, could be devastating to the world as it mutates a living organism's genes, turning it into a killing machine.
Gru declines, wanting nothing to do with his prior life, instead wants to launch his own line of jams and jellies. When he returns home and discusses the matter with Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand - voice) he learns that his trusted technical advisor is leaving, citing the absence of joy and excitement since leaving the super villain business. Gru is feeling a restlessness himself since leaving the Biz, so he talks it over with the girls and partners up with Lucy to track down the source who stole the PX41. They narrow it down to the local venue, Paradise Mall, where their cover is the owners of a cupcake shop, Bake My Day. Gru and Lucy must figure out who’s behind this theft, needing to do it quickly as much is at risk. Can Gru complete his mission or will his new roles as good ex-villain and father hinder his abilities to assess situations clearly?
If you haven’t seen "Despicable Me" yet, place it on top of your must -see list, as this film franchise is amazing. It helps to see Despicable Me before seeing this film as it picks up right where the first one left off. In the sequel, the themes of family, ethics and romantic relations are explored in depth, but done in such a way that there is never a dull moment in the 98 minutes of story. All the elements that made Despicable Me enjoyable is expanded on; more scenes with the minions, more fart guns and comedy that will be enjoyable for adults and children. The 3D animation is flawless, making it worth to spring the extra cash to view in. Out of all the family and animated that have been released to date," Despicable Me 2" is the best family film of the year, hands down. Be sure to check out “Despicable Me 2” when it opens in theaters nationwide starting Wednesday July 3, 2013.
