Despicable Me 3 (2017)

Despicable Me 3 is a sugar-rush of color and comedy that knows exactly what it’s doing: delivering brisk, buoyant entertainment with the confidence of a well-oiled cartoon machine. The movie’s secret weapon is Trey Parker’s Balthazar Bratt, an ’80s-obsessed villain who turns nostalgia into a full-blown comic persona, while Steve Carell has a blast giving Gru a fresh counterpart to bounce off of without losing the character’s gruff heart. The animation pops with kinetic energy, the jokes come fast enough to keep both kids and parents engaged, and the Minions are used just enough to add spice instead of taking over the whole meal. If you’re looking for a thoughtful reinvention, this isn’t it—but if you want a lively, good-natured family adventure that moves like a pop song and leaves you smiling, it absolutely earns the ticket.

Despicable Me 3 is clearly trying to juggle a big, bright family adventure while leaning hard into an ’80s-themed villain and the franchise’s familiar “Gru learns something heartfelt” rhythm. The problem is it’s overstuffed: twin-brother antics, Lucy’s parenting worries, the unicorn side quest, and Minion chaos all compete for attention, so the pacing feels busy rather than exciting. If you’re hoping for the freshness and emotional focus of the first film, this one can feel like a greatest-hits remix with extra noise. Still, Trey Parker’s Balthazar Bratt is a fun, committed gag machine and the animation is slick, so younger kids or anyone who mainly wants colorful slapstick will likely have a better time than viewers craving a tighter story.