Tuesday's With Movies: 12/10/13

Despicable Me 2: Wasn't really expecting to check this out in the theater, but was able to head out with my son to check it out. My review is here. Again, the Minions make the film - which is definitely why they will eventually have their own film.

Fast & Furious 6: This was one of the lone films on my Top 10 list this summer that I unfortunately wasn't able to see in the theater - but my wife was able to and I am jealous. We recently had a marathon of the first five films, and I cannot wait to see this one. The release date of this film is so strange with Paul Walker's death just about a week ago.

Battle of the Year: Yet another dance movie - this one starring Lost's Josh Holloway. Didn't get great reviews, and I try to avoid these type of movies.

Ultimate Life: A millionaire reexamines is life once he finds hie grandfathers diary. I honestly have no clue what this movie is really about, nor have I ever heard of it.

Hunt: A teacher is struggling over his son's custody. Yet another film I have really no idea about.

Adore: Well, this is a bit odd - 'Mother Lover' anyone? A pair of lifelong friends fall in love with each other's sons.

Man of Tai Chi: Wow, Keanu Reeves has apparently moved to China. Here he stars in what looks to be the Chinese version of Fight Club.

Touchy Feely: A massage therapist suddenly comes down with an aversion to bodily contact. Meanwhile her brother apparently gets a healing touch. These movies really look good to me, unfortunately I have yet to watch any of them. But, I think I will at some point.

Sightseers: A guy takes his girlfriend out to see the world, but of course nothing goes as planned.

Some Girls: Before he gets married, a man takes a trip across the country to visit he ex-girlfriends and make amends for some of the problems in their relationship.

Theater Review: Despicable Me 2

I actually remember sort of liking the original film in this franchise, but I really had a hard time remembering a lot about it. That is odd in my house, as I have seen most of these animated films about 300 times apiece, but for some reason I don't think I have seen that one more than twice at the most.

But, with some free tickets in hand, my son and I went to see Despicable Me 2.

How can you tell a new story when the villain in the previous movie is now a good guy? Well, they figured it out pretty well. I actually think they may have improved upon the first one.

Gru (Steve Carell) is now no longer plotting to be the world's most notorious villain. Instead he is trying to be a really good dad to his three adopted daughters, Agnes (Elsie Fisher), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Margo (Miranda Cosgrove).

He is even one of the most eligible bachelors on the block, and the other ladies are looking to set him up on dates.

The Minions and Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand)? They are still there, but instead of making evil objects to help Gru, they are making preserves. That is until Dr. Nefario gets a better job offer from another villain.

Now no longer a villain, Gru still gets pulled into the game as Lucy (Kristen Wiig) of the Ant-Villain League pulls him in to help her track down  the PX-41 mutagen that was stolen from the Arctic Circle. A mutagen that can turn things into indestructible monsters.

The mutagen is thought to have been in the Paradise Shopping Mall, so Lucy and Gru setup a bakery in the mall to go undercover and find out who in the mall stole the mutagen and why they are planning on using it.

That is all well and good, and a decent story line, but the main reason to watch this movie is for the Minions. I believe after the first film the creators realized what they had with these little guys and they are featured a whole lot more in this one. Every time they are on the screen something hilarious is happening.

Also, I have to give it to the little girls as well, especially the littlest one Agnes. They were also very funny.

What is funny, though, with all of the comedians in the film - Carell, Wiig and Brand - it was the girls and the Minions that actually have you laughing. The other characters had their moments, but they were in no way the stars of this film - and it still worked.

Apparently a new film called Minions is scheduled for next year - not sure how a film of just will work, but it should be interesting and they will find a way to make it funny. I just hope they don't over do it and make them annoying with an over abundance of them.

Grade: