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Despicable Me 2

Name: Despicable Me 2 - Christian Parent's Review
Item: Despicable Me 2
Rating: 3
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 is a 2013 animated comedy film, the second installment in the Despicable Me franchise, which continues the story of reformed super-villain Gru. Now a dedicated father to his three adopted daughters, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help track down a new super-villain, El Macho, who has stolen a powerful mutagen. The film blends action, comedy, and romance as Gru navigates his new role as a secret agent, deals with his eldest daughter's burgeoning interest in boys, and ultimately falls in love. It is aimed at a family audience, with particular appeal to school-age children and adults who enjoyed the first film. The movie generally promotes positive themes of family, loyalty, and redemption.

Things to Consider

Medium5

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceRomance and Sexual ContentScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & Rebellion

Low4

ProfanityWitchcraft & OccultSubstance UseAnti-Christian Themes

Medium5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The film includes instances of gender non-conforming attire, primarily for comedic effect involving the Minions and Gru. While not explicitly sexual, some reviewers interpret these elements as implying themes of homosexuality or perpetuating gender stereotypes.

Several Minions are depicted donning traditionally feminine clothing such as wigs, dresses, and a French maid's outfit, often played for laughs. Gru himself dresses as a fairy princess for Agnes's birthday party, serving as a comedic moment when the hired performer cancels. A viewer's comment noted 'hints towards homosexuality throughout,' largely referring to these gender-bending gags involving the Minions.

Violence

Despicable Me 2 features frequent over-the-top cartoon-style slapstick violence and perilous situations, though it largely avoids graphic injury, blood, or gore. Some scenes involve threats and the transformation into menacing monsters, which could be intense for very young viewers.

A giant flying magnet sucks up an entire research laboratory, including workers and a portable toilet, into an aircraft. El Macho is shown in a flashback grabbing a man by the head and throwing him, and later is tied to a shark with dynamite before leaping into a volcano, which explodes (without showing injury). Gru activates booby traps with flamethrowers, axes, and darts, resulting in him comically covered in soot and darts, including one through his nose. During a bad date, Gru tranquilizes a woman with a 'mild moose tranquilizer' and she is later seen passively subjected to violence, described as being 'thrown down stairs, tying her to the top of a car' while unconscious.

Romance and Sexual Content

The movie contains mild romantic elements, including flirting, dating encouragement, and implied physical intimacy without explicit sexual acts. There are also instances of comical cartoon nudity and suggestive remarks.

Gru's daughters actively encourage him to pursue romance, even completing an online dating profile for him using a picture of him in tight swimmers. A Minion daydreams of running on a beach with Lucy and attempting to kiss her. El Macho comically rips open his shirt to reveal a hairy chest with a Mexican flag tattoo. Margo flirts with Antonio, calling him 'so cool' and texting him, with one reviewer noting a dance scene between them as 'inappropriately sexual' with their bodies 'almost rubbing together.' The film concludes with Gru and Lucy's wedding and a kiss.

Scary & Intense Content

Some scenes may be frightening for younger children due to the transformation of cute characters into ferocious, zombie-like purple monsters, and situations of peril and threats, particularly in 3D versions.

Several scenes depict creatures, including white rabbits, Minions, and El Macho, being injected with a serum and transforming into menacing purple monsters with sharp teeth. These 'evil minions' are portrayed as violent and zombie-like. El Macho's character is initially threatening, at one point brandishing a knife and stating, 'Someone's going to die tonight.' The scene where Gru tranquilizes his bad date and transports her in a disturbing manner (tied to a car, implied passive violence) was noted as uncomfortable.

Disrespect & Rebellion

The film contains instances of mild disrespect and rebellious behavior, primarily for comedic purposes or as part of character development, such as adolescent flirtation and minor defiance of authority figures.

Margo, Gru's eldest daughter, exhibits typical teenage rebellion and flirtation, texting a boy and dancing closely, which upsets Gru. Gru displays moments of defiance, such as attempting to use a freeze ray on Agent Lucy Wilde during their first encounter, though she quickly incapacitates him. Dr. Nefario temporarily leaves Gru to work for another villain, signifying a form of professional defiance, although he later returns, prioritizing his bond with Gru and the girls.

Low4

Profanity

The film includes very mild name-calling and toilet humor, consistent with a G or PG rating, and contains no strong expletives or frequent offensive language.

Witchcraft & Occult

The movie does not feature any elements of witchcraft, sorcery, magic rituals, demons, spells, or explicit supernatural occurrences. The villain's scheme involves a fictional scientific mutagen rather than occult practices.

Substance Use

Substance use is minimal and depicted indirectly, limited to a single daydream sequence involving wine and no actual consumption or problematic use.

Anti-Christian Themes

The movie does not contain any anti-Christian themes. Instead, it promotes positive moral values such as the importance of family, personal growth, loyalty, and doing what is right, which some Christian reviewers found to have redemptive elements.

The film emphasizes Gru's journey of transformation from a villain to a loving, protective father, illustrating themes of redemption and choosing good over evil. Dr. Nefario's decision to return to Gru after initially seeking villainous employment highlights loyalty and the value of chosen family, resonating with positive moral teachings. Reviewers from Christian outlets noted the film's 'very strong moral worldview' and 'Christian, redemptive elements like self-sacrifice.'

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Despicable Me 2 generally presents a worldview that aligns well with many biblical values, particularly emphasizing the transformative power of love and family. The core themes revolve around Gru's continued journey from villainy to committed fatherhood and the growth of his unconventional family. The film champions positive moral values such as loyalty, personal growth, and doing what is right. Gru's commitment to his adopted daughters is consistently portrayed as virtuous, and he is rewarded with a growing sense of purpose and ultimately, a loving partner in Lucy. Even Dr. Nefario's decision to return to Gru after initially seeking villainous employment highlights loyalty and the value of chosen family. There is a clear sense of moral accountability, as villainous actions are ultimately thwarted and those who commit them are brought to justice. The movie steers clear of a relativistic worldview, instead portraying clear distinctions between good and evil, with good ultimately prevailing. While not explicitly Christian, the film showcases elements of redemption and sacrifice, such as Gru risking his life to save Lucy and his daughters, echoing principles of self-sacrifice for loved ones. Family values are strongly promoted throughout the film. Gru's role as a loving, protective, and engaged father is central to his character arc. He prioritizes his daughters' well-being, even dressing as a fairy princess for Agnes's birthday and offering guidance to Margo as she navigates her first crush. The film beautifully illustrates the goodness of adoption, parenting, and ultimately, marriage, as Gru finds a partner in Lucy who embraces his unique family. The notion of a "found family" is a significant theme, reinforcing that love and connection can transcend traditional biological ties. The film implicitly supports a transcendent view of life and meaning through its celebration of selfless love, personal transformation, and the joy found in family bonds, which resonate with Christian teachings on the sanctity of family and the importance of loving others. There is no explicit depiction of faith or Christianity in the movie, ensuring that it remains broadly accessible while still promoting values that are harmonious with a Christian perspective.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Parental Guidance is recommended for children under 8, with a general suitability for ages 5 and over. The MPAA rated it PG for mild rude humor, animated action/violence, and brief nudity. Younger children, especially under five, may find some scenes, particularly those involving monster transformations, scary or disturbing.

Good to Know

The film garnered some criticism regarding the stereotypical portrayal of Mexican characters, particularly El Macho (Eduardo Perez), who is depicted with a heavy accent, a Mexican restaurant, and a 'Latin lover' son, Antonio. There were also critiques concerning the weakening of Lucy Wilde's character into a 'damsel-in-distress' by the film's conclusion, despite her initial strong portrayal.

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