espicable Me 4 Review: Is Gru’s Latest Minion Adventure Worth Watching? (2024)
Despicable Me 4: The Minions Strike Again in Summer 2024
Seven years after Despicable Me 3, everyone’s favorite reformed supervillain returns with his yellow companions for another round of chaotic family fun. Released on July 3, 2024, Despicable Me 4 brings back the beloved characters while introducing fresh faces and superhero-powered Minions called the Mega Minions.
But does this sixth entry in the Illumination franchise deliver the same charm as its predecessors, or is it running on fumes? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this family blockbuster that earned nearly $1 billion worldwide.
The Story: Gru’s Most Personal Challenge Yet
Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) have settled into domestic life with daughters Margo, Edith, and Agnes. The family welcomes a new addition—baby Gru Jr., who seems determined to make his father’s life hilariously miserable.
Their peaceful existence shatters when Maxime Le Mal, a cockroach-enhanced villain and Gru’s former high school classmate, escapes from prison seeking revenge. Partnering with his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Sofia Vergara), Maxime forces the entire Gru family into witness protection, adopting new identities in a safe house.
Meanwhile, teenage neighbor Poppy Prescott (Joey King) discovers Gru’s secret past and wants to follow in his villainous footsteps. Add in the Mega Minions—a superhero team of enhanced Minions with abilities inspired by the Fantastic Four—and you’ve got a packed storyline that some critics argue feels overstuffed.
What Works: Minion Magic and Family Heart
Despite mixed critical reception, Despicable Me 4 succeeds in several key areas that keep families coming back to this franchise.
The Mega Minions concept breathes fresh air into the formula. These superhero-powered yellow creatures provide some of the film’s funniest moments, poking fun at Marvel-style superhero movies while maintaining the Minions’ signature incompetence. Director Chris Renaud incorporated their lovable clumsiness into their superpowers, creating genuinely entertaining sequences.
Steve Carell continues to nail Gru’s vaguely Slavic accent and deadpan delivery, while the ensemble cast—including Will Ferrell as Maxime—brings energy to their roles. The physical comedy remains strong, with the hyperactive pacing keeping younger viewers engaged throughout the film’s 94-minute runtime.
The animation quality showcases Illumination’s technical prowess, with vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and smooth action sequences that justify watching on the big screen.
What Doesn’t Work: Familiar Formula Feels Tired
The film earned a 55% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes (though audiences gave it 86%), and many reviews pointed to recurring issues that plague franchise sequels.
The biggest complaint? The story follows a predictable formula with multiple disconnected subplots that barely come together. The witness protection storyline, Poppy’s villain training, the Mega Minions’ adventures, and baby Gru Jr.’s antics all compete for screen time, leaving each thread feeling underdeveloped.
Some viewers questioned the plot logic, particularly why a family facing eviction would pursue buying a home rather than addressing immediate housing needs. Character development takes a backseat to set pieces and gags, with even main characters feeling one-dimensional compared to earlier entries.
The action sequences, traditionally a franchise highlight, feel noticeably truncated and rushed. Several critics noted that the film seems content to coast on brand recognition rather than push creative boundaries.
Box Office Success and Streaming Availability
Despite critical ambivalence, audiences flocked to theaters. Despicable Me 4 grossed $972 million worldwide against a $100 million budget, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and the second-highest animated film of the year.
The movie is now widely available for home viewing. It released digitally on September 10, 2024, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 24. Streaming options include Peacock (available since October 31, 2024) and Netflix (starting February 28, 2025). Physical copies include bonus features like the mini-movies “Game Over and Over” and “Benny’s Birthday,” deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes content.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Mega Minions steal the show: Fresh superhero twist adds genuine entertainment value
- Family-friendly fun: Clean humor appropriate for all ages without being boring
- Strong voice performances: Carell, Wiig, and Ferrell bring their A-game
- Beautiful animation: Top-tier visual quality and vibrant color palette
- Fast pacing: Never drags, keeping kids engaged throughout
- Profitable comfort food: Delivers exactly what fans expect
Cons:
- Overstuffed plot: Too many subplots dilute the main story
- Lacks originality: Plays it safe without risks or innovation
- Thin character development: Characters feel more like archetypes than people
- Truncated action: Fight scenes feel rushed and incomplete
- Predictable beats: Follows franchise formula without surprises
- Underused concepts: Mega Minions deserve more screen time than they receive
Final Verdict: Minion Mayhem for Die-Hard Fans
Despicable Me 4 won’t convert skeptics or revitalize the franchise with groundbreaking storytelling. It’s essentially cinematic comfort food—familiar, safe, and designed to entertain children while parents check their phones.
However, if you’re a franchise fan or have kids who adore the Minions, this delivers enough laughs and colorful chaos to justify a watch. The Mega Minions concept alone provides memorable moments, and the film’s brisk pace means it never overstays its welcome.
For families seeking a reliable movie night option with zero risk of inappropriate content, Despicable Me 4 fits the bill perfectly. Just don’t expect the magic of the original or the hilarious energy of the standalone Minions films.
Rating: 6/10 – A fun but forgettable entry that serves franchise fans while showing signs of creative fatigue.
