Despicable Me 2 - B-

Rated PG, 98 minutes

Steve Carrell as Gru

Once more, the Minions steal the thinly charming "Despicable Me 2"

The witty, original 2010 animated film "Despicable Me" was a big hit, in large part due to the voice talent of Steve Carrell as lead character Gru and a large cast of yellow, egg-shaped minions. They're all back in the enjoyable "Despicable Me 2," overall a weaker, thinner effort than the original but pleasant enough for the young set. Carrell is back as former world villain Gru, who has given up taking over the world in favor of raising three precocious girls and starting a jelly and jam business. He's lured back into spying on the bad guys and given a partner named Lucy (Kristen Wiig), with whom he shares a special chemistry, and the two must track down a mysterious restaurant owner (Benjamin Bratt), who may be supposedly dead villain El Macho. The first film's directors, Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, are back directing here as well, and while the film is colorful and pleasant, the first act is a bit slow and suffers when the little yellow guys aren't on screen. Part of the appeal of the original film was Carrell's Gru, who's softened up a bit in this film, and as a result, less fun. "DM2" picks up with some much needed energy in the last act, when the minions have a greater role and are much more essential to the thin plot. Other than that, there isn't much to go on, but it's still an enjoyable outing for the little ones. It's also nice having Wiig around, who adds some more pep in a much nicer voice role than she had in the first film. It's hard not to like "Despicable Me 2," even if it's not as witty or energetic (and much less despicable) as the 2010 film, and you will want to stay over for the credits for more minion action and some of the best 3D you'll see this year. And if you can't get enough of the minions, never fear they'll have their own animated film (which the credits serve as a tiny preview to), "Minions" in 2014 with Sandra Bullock as the villain. I can only imagine what the director's notes had on this if they needed filler. When in doubt, always cut to the minions. You can't go wrong there.

Wes's Grade: B-