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DESPICABLE MEMovie Reviews
Animated tale about a supervillain whose plans to steal the moon are sidetracked when he's put in charge of three orphans. Cast:Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Danny R. McBride, Will Arnett and Julie AndrewsDirector:Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, John CohenRelease Date:July 9, 2010DVD Release:December 14, 2010From:UniversalRating:PGLength:1 hr 35 minIn 3D
Despicable Me played to good reviews. • Carrie Rickey wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Short, sweet-and-sour, and amusing rather than funny... can't help but be likable." • Rick Bentley wrote in the Miami Herald, "Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud keep things moving with crisp animation, a quick tempo and a continuous barrage of jokes." • And MaryAnn Johanson wrote for Flick Filosopher, "...wildly original." More Reviews Below...
Despicable Me Positive Reviews (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Christy Lemire, Associated Press: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...has a pleasingly off-kilter look about it... Kids will dig it, adults will smile with amusement, and no one will be any different afterward..."(See all of Christy Lemire's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 649 words, 07/08/10
Thelma Adams, Us Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "...hilariously over-the-top, yet understandable from a child's perspective... has some hysterical moments, thanks to Russell Brand and Jason Segel..."(See all of Thelma Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 106 words, 07/08/10
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...an American story, from a Spanish animator's idea, fleshed out by a French animation house... Euro je ne sais quoi influences the aesthetic of this charming tale..."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 306 words, 07/02/10
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: VERY GOOD(cg) "Carell's genius for loading a comic line with mirth and malice is on joyous display in this 3-D animated feature that brims over with charm and spirit."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 177 words, 07/09/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...funny, energetic, teeth-gnashingly venomous... animated with an eye to exploiting the 3-D process with such sure-fire techniques as a visit to an amusement park."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 673 words, 07/08/10
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (12 Reviews)
A.O. Scott, New York Times: FAIR "...cannot be faulted for lack of trying.... So much is going on in this movie that, while there's nothing worth despising, there's not much to remember either."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 887 words, 07/09/10
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud's nicely quirky, animated comedy has just enough edge to entertain every member of the family."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 335 words, 07/09/10
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...so saccharine that sappy sentimentality is more of a danger than exposure to evil... gives off the unmistakably fatal air of trying too hard."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 713 words, 07/09/10
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The 3-D is unnecessary, as usual, but the movie has its pleasures. One is Steve Carell as the voice of Gru... has fun normalizing the life of a villain..."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 497 words, 07/09/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...funny, energetic, teeth-gnashingly venomous... animated with an eye to exploiting the 3-D process with such sure-fire techniques as a visit to an amusement park."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 673 words, 07/08/10
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...fart guns, shrink rays, and squid shooters! ...a cavalcade of kiddie giggles, titters, and belly laughs with as much heft as helium. It's rather joyful and heartfelt."(See all of Robert Wilonsky's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 759 words, 07/07/10
Rick Groen, Toronto Globe & Mail: OUTSTANDING(cg) "Gru is a crotchety touchstone for those times when parenthood is less a joy than a burden.... the kids are laughing at him and the adults are laughing with him..."(See all of Rick Groen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 844 words, 07/09/10
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "When 'Despicable Me' sticks to formula, it's decent enough. When it focuses on Gru and the girls, it's a weird, wonderful delight."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 228 words, 07/08/10
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...affable if utterly inconsequential... Short, sweet-and-sour, and amusing rather than funny... it can't help but be likable."(See all of Carrie Rickey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 410 words, 07/09/10
Mick LaSalle, Houston Chronicle/San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "An actual story, with situations that flow and build from other situations, kicks in after an hour, and all the effects and innovations the movie was saving up come in..."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 569 words, 07/09/10
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: VERY GOOD(cg) "...simply plays to its strengths: a funny, inventive voice performance by Steve Carell; one gag after another, and a sweet, if predictable, transformation story."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 568 words, 07/09/10
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News: OUTSTANDING(cg) "The whole enterprise feels like controlled chaos: As things grow more manic and illogical, the more assured 'Despicable Me' gets."(See all of Chris Vognar's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 738 words, 07/09/10
Ty Burr, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an oddity but an entertaining one.... Carell? Bless him, he gives an actual performance and thus mines the necessary sympathy for Gru."(See all of Ty Burr's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 612 words, 07/09/10
Stephen Whitty, Cleveland Plain-Dealer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...fine for a Saturday matinee, particularly if you're feeling cooped up and don't feel like seeing 'Toy Story 3' again. But unfortunately 'Despicable Me' is just, predictably -- eh."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 476 words, 07/09/10
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...witty, absurdist.... a sweet-and-sour mash of influences from 'Silas Marner,' Looney Tunes and almost anything by Roald Dahl..."(See all of Tom Keogh's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 418 words, 07/09/10
Shawn Levy, Portland Oregonian: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...harmless... there's no reason to actively dislike the film, but that's not enough... Just because you're not despicable, after all, doesn't mean you're the pick of the litter."(See all of Shawn Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 613 words, 07/09/10
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: VERY GOOD(cg) "Because this movie is genuinely funny without being crass or hyperactive, sincerity can sneak into the lair through the back door.... delightful."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 339 words, 07/09/10
Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...more than a Pixar ripoff. Toss in the most vivid usage of 3-D technology since 'Avatar' and there's plenty to enjoy."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 526 words, 07/08/10
Tom Long, Detroit News: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a charming fairy tale of a family film, the sort of whimsy only the coldest heart might turn from... eye-popping 3-D and a heart-warming story."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 409 words, 07/09/10
Rick Bentley, Miami Herald: VERY GOOD(cg) "...directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud keep things moving with crisp animation, a quick tempo and a continuous barrage of jokes... the 3-D is worth the extra cost."(See all of Rick Bentley's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 368 words, 07/09/10
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (9 Reviews)
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD "...fart guns, shrink rays, and squid shooters! ...a cavalcade of kiddie giggles, titters, and belly laughs with as much heft as helium. It's rather joyful and heartfelt."(See all of Robert Wilonsky's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 759 words, 07/07/10
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the filmmakers behind this slight but engaging kids' animated comedy have no ambitions to be original, but they insist on stealing only from the best."(See all of Peter Keough's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 587 words, 07/08/10
Simon Abrams, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a healthy reminder that no single animation studio has a monopoly on thoughtful and involving animated features.... it's a perfect, though unambitious, diversion."(See all of Simon Abrams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 841 words, 07/05/10
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "When 'Despicable Me' sticks to formula, it's decent enough. When it focuses on Gru and the girls, it's a weird, wonderful delight."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 228 words, 07/08/10
Curt Holman, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The comedy's most despicable quality is the heavy dose of treacle that floods the last half. Focus instead on the gizmo-driven feud between Gru and Vector..."(See all of Curt Holman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 596 words, 07/09/10
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...totally fresh and wildly original.... characters we've never met before, situations we've not previously encountered, and a story we don't already know the ending of..."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 950 words, 07/07/10
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...thin at the top, but fills out as it goes along. And the animation is a grabber all the way through.... it looks so stylish that thinking about its plot is strictly optional."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 248 words, 07/09/10
A.O. Scott, New York Times: FAIR "...cannot be faulted for lack of trying.... So much is going on in this movie that, while there's nothing worth despising, there's not much to remember either."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 887 words, 07/09/10
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...so saccharine that sappy sentimentality is more of a danger than exposure to evil... gives off the unmistakably fatal air of trying too hard."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 713 words, 07/09/10
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon: VERY GOOD "An enjoyable blend of sweetness and silliness, with loads of giggles and just enough dark-edged humor to keep the adult companions interested..."(See all of Andrew O'Hehir's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 791 words, 07/09/10
MOVIE INDUSTRY (6 Reviews)
Peter Debruge, Daily Variety: VERY GOOD "...genuinely clever, delivering much of its humor visually.... a healthy dose of irreverence and a very weird accent... isn't afraid to be silly..."(See all of Peter Debruge's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 960 words, 06/10/10
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "...funny, clever and warmly animated.... individual sequences and fresh characters dreamed up by writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio are quite wonderful."(See all of Kirk Honeycutt's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 831 words, 06/09/10
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "...so saccharine that sappy sentimentality is more of a danger than exposure to evil... gives off the unmistakably fatal air of trying too hard."(See all of Kenneth Turan's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 713 words, 07/09/10
Patrick Z. McGavin, Cinema 24/7: VERY GOOD(cg) "The characterizations are soulful, funny and organically woven into the larger narrative fabric. The byplay with the kids is funny and endearing..."(See all of Patrick Z. McGavin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 862 words, 06/30/10
A.O. Scott, New York Times: FAIR "...cannot be faulted for lack of trying.... So much is going on in this movie that, while there's nothing worth despising, there's not much to remember either."(See all of A.O. Scott's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 887 words, 07/09/10
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: GOOD "...thin at the top, but fills out as it goes along. And the animation is a grabber all the way through.... it looks so stylish that thinking about its plot is strictly optional."(See all of Joe Morgenstern's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 248 words, 07/09/10
12.8 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Despicable Me's reviews are separated by an average 12.8 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Despicable Me (49 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Despicable Me's reviews cover 93.3% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 26,900 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 549 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Despicable Me Coverage, Volume & Length (49 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 26.6 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Despicable Me's reviews on average broke 26.6 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Despicable Me's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Despicable Me (49 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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