RATING:
PG for rude humor and mild action.
GENRE:
Comedy, Kids/Family and Animation
RELEASE:
July 9, 2010
STARRING:
Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Julie Andrews
DIRECTORS:
Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
DISTRIBUTOR:
Universal Pictures
Please Note
In providing movie reviews on our site, CBN.com is not endorsing or recommending films we review. Our goal is to provide Christians with information about the latest movies, both the good and the bad, so that our readers may make an informed decision as to whether or not films are appropriate for them and their families.
MOVIE REVIEW
Despicable Me
By Beth Patch
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com - As the ending credits rolled, I left the theater saddened by the sin-glorifying messages in Despicable Me. With all the commercial hype comically depicting the giggling yellow minions who co-star in this animated film, I was looking forward to light slap-stick, witty humor. Cleverness and laughter abound, but far too often it’s cloaked in darkness. Overall, the theme repeats that being bad is not so bad. Stealing, lying, and being sneaky are never identified as wrong. Being cruel to children is the only offense that’s depicted as truly evil.
The Movie in a Minute
Two arch rivals compete to gain notoriety as the world’s most spectacular thieves by stealing historical landmarks of grandeur. In an effort to out-do Vector (the tech-savvy newcomer in the villain world), Gru (the well-established villain and main character, voiced by Steve Carell) devises a plan to steal the moon. He rallies his minions and discovers that a crucial part of his plan will require using three girls from a neighboring orphanage to gain access to Vector’s home and his shrink ray gun (a necessary tool to minimize the moon to a portable size). He adopts the girls who are naïve to Gru’s plan and delighted to finally be adopted. Gru’s dastardly plan gets underway and his cold heart eventually fills with love for the girls.
Christian Worldview
If there is a saving grace in this story, it is that Gru has a change of heart towards the children. Initially, his Grinch-like persona treats the girls like less than dogs. But as these innocent and love-starved characters beg for Gru to throw them more than a bone, he gradually gains true concern for their welfare and happiness.
The lyrics to the theme song for Despicable Me say, “I’m having a bad, bad day. It’s about time that I get my way. Steamrolling whatever I see . . .” and will undoubtedly appeal to children (and some adults). This motivation is never pinpointed in the story as an unrewarding attitude. In fact, it’s accepted and put on a pedestal. This is a wrong message for children! It mocks “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and any humble, remorseful consequences to sin.
On a Positive Note
The three orphan girls (Margo, Edith, and Agnes) do not mimic Gru’s despicable behaviors. It is their pureness of heart that changes Gru instead of his lifestyle changing them for the worse. The glimpses back into his childhood show a little boy who just wanted to be loved and accepted by his mother. He never had a chance since she also was callous and evil.
Cautions
Though the film is only rated PG, it does contain crude humor, bathroom humor, and violence.
 Beth Patch serves as the Global Ministries and Spiritual Life Devotions producer for CBN.com. For more articles and info, visit Beth's bio page.
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