Review: Despicable Me 2

Heather and I tried to watch Despicable Me 2 last week while visiting my parent's over the New Years holiday. We sat down on the couch (Rowan, our bear cub, was sleeping off the five hour drive of the previous day), tissues in hand, not because we expected a sad movie, but because we both had terrible colds and were just looking for some relief with a happy, silly movie. We thought we had purchased the pay-per-view movie correctly. The Universal Earth rolled by, then two minions popped on the screen, and I knew we were in luck! I love minions and their ridiculous antics! The first few minutes were fun and entertaining, and as soon as we saw Gru in his princess fairy tutu we were breathless with laughter. 

Unfortunately, it was just at that moment that the movie shut off! Apparently, we only accessed a preview of the movie. My parents house was not connected to broadband or a landline, which the cable company requires to watch pay-per-view movies. Nooo! We had waited so long to watch Despicable Me 2.

Luckily fo us, the movie was released to Redbox on Tuesday and we reserved it early in the morning. Excited once more to enjoy it, we huddled beneath a blanket and made it through the entire movie without interruption. 

A very funny film to watch. Excellent for the whole family. Steve Carell voices Gru to perfection, as he did in the first film, and Kristen Wiig and Russel Brand add their level of humor to their respective characters. The story was funny, if predictable and a bit forgettable. The three girls, heartbreakingly awesome in the first film, were featured often but not nearly as central or as moving in this film. 

Looking back over the film (only viewed a few hours ago), the most memorable moments involved the minions. I can't tell you what exactly a minion is, but I do know they're hilarious. Every interaction of the minions (with other minions, by themselves, or even with a cat) had me laughing until my sides hurt. They were certainly the best part of the movie and the only reason I would watch it again. 

Overall, this movie earns a 6.5/10 from me. Heather gave it a 7.0/10. 

Pros: Funny and entertaining. Excellent voice acting and visuals. Minions, minions, minions!

Cons: Predictable and forgettable story. 

The Baby Bear.

This little guy right here is one heck of a good reason to get up in the morning! He's our baby bear, the little man Heather and I have been waiting for for a long time. He's a fast-growing, quick-laughing, diaper-dirtying rascal with a funny little mullet of newborn hair on the back of his head. He's had his own personality (slightly stubborn) since the moment he was born. Everyday he makes us laugh, cry, and look forward to the future as he grows and matures.

Right now he's teething, which is a challenge for everyone in the family, but mostly for him. When I run a finger around the inside of his mouth I feel lots of sharp little ridges where those little teeth are about to emerge. They're causing him lots of pain, but soon they'll blossom into full-fledged baby teeth and he'll be feeling 100% again (and maybe mom and dad will get a full night's sleep once more!).