Despicable
Me 4: The Return of Gru and the Minions
Despicable
Me 4 is a 2024 animated film produced by Illumination
and distributed by Universal Pictures. Directed by Chris Renaud
and co-directed by Patrick Delage, the film is the fourth
main installment in the Despicable Me saga
and the sixth overall. The screenplay was written by Mike
White and Ken Daurio, featuring the original voices of Steve
Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove,
Steve Coogan, Sofía Vergara, Stephen Colbert, and Will Ferrell.
Development
and Production
Development
of the film began in September 2017 and was officially confirmed
in February 2022. Production began in June 2022, with most
of the voice cast announced in January 2024. Heitor Pereira
and Pharrell Williams returned to compose the film's music,
contributing new original songs.
Plot
The
film follows Gru, an agent of the Anti-Villain League (AVL),
as he attends a school reunion at Lycée Pas Bon, where he
encounters Maxime Le Mal, a former classmate seeking revenge
for an old grudge. Maxime, transformed into a human-cockroach
hybrid, plans to use a new weapon to transform Gru Jr., Gru's
son, into a similar monster.
After
Maxime escapes from prison, the Gru family is forced to relocate
to a new town under protected identities. There, they meet
the Prescotts, including young Poppy, an aspiring supervillain
who recognizes Gru and blackmails him into helping her commit
a theft. The situation escalates when Principal Übelschlecht
reveals Gru's location to Maxime, leading to a climax where
Gru Jr. is kidnapped and transformed.
With
Poppy's help, Gru manages to free his son and stop Maxime,
who is crushed by the Mega-Minions. The Gru family returns
to their old home, and Dr. Nefario successfully reverses Gru
Jr.'s transformation. The film concludes with Gru and Maxime
resolving their differences and performing together in prison.
Voice
Cast
Original
Voices:
- Steve
Carell: Gru
- Kristen
Wiig: Lucy Wilde
- Will
Ferrell: Maxime Le Mal
- Joey
King: Poppy Prescott
- Sofía
Vergara: Valentina
- Stephen
Colbert: Perry Prescott
- Chloe
Fineman: Patsy Prescott
- Miranda
Cosgrove: Margo
- Steve
Coogan: Silas Ramsbottom
- Pierre
Coffin: Minions
- Dana
Gaier: Edith
- Madison
Polan: Agnes
- Chris
Renaud: Übelschlecht
- Tara
Strong: Gru Jr.
- John
DiMaggio: Kyle
Music
and Marketing
Pharrell
Williams released the single "Double Life" as part of the
soundtrack, receiving positive reviews for its catchy melody.
The first trailer for the film was released on January 28,
2024, followed by a second trailer on May 7, 2024. An innovative
marketing campaign included a parody teaser of the "Megaverse,"
satirizing shared universes like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Release
and Reception
The
film premiered in New York on June 9, 2024, followed by releases
in Australia and the United States on June 20 and July 3,
respectively. Reviews were mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting
54% positive reviews. While some critics praised the entertainment
value, others criticized the plot for having too many characters
and subplots.
Despicable
Me 4 continues to keep the universe of the Minions
and Gru alive, offering a new adventure that combines action,
humor, and heartfelt moments, confirming the franchise as
one of the most beloved in contemporary animated films.
