Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Despicable Me 4 review says the minions make the movie, no matter what else does (or doesn’t) happen.

Four-word review: Minions make me happy.

No matter what else happens in this frothy franchise, the minions make it all worthwhile. Cartoon characters that without fail, make very serious full grown adults giggle and do spit takes are far too few these days.

With is not to say the Despicable Me 4 doesn’t have other virtues as well.

Despicable Me 4 review — What it’s all about

The plot revolves around reformed super villain Gru (Steve Carell) arresting his arch nemesis and former classmate Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell with an amusing French accent) at a school reunion. 

Le Mal has the powers of a super cockroach, and the support of the nefarious little creatures—his own brand of minions—as well. They quickly help him break out of prison, and he vows to take down Gru and his entire family and kidnap Baby Gru, who has hilarious daddy issues.

So the family must move into the witness protection program, where they have all sorts of amusing problems assimilating. Meanwhile, Gru has to figure out a way to stomp out La Mal’s creepy crawly reign of terror and put him back in jail where he belongs.

Along the way, the minions add their unique brand of comic relief, and we’re introduced to new ones—a quartet of accidental Mega Minions, whose super powers are a bit like the Fantastic Four. I will admit the banana shaped one was a little disconcerting, and I know I wasn’t the only one who thought so. With Mike White as one of the minds behind the Minions, surely his the odd shape was intentional.

If director Chris Renaud, who has been involved with all the other films in the franchise, has not come up with the most original, surely the Minion mayhem, as well as the outstanding voice cast, make the weaknesses forgivable. The voices of Kristin Wiig, Sofia Vergara, Joey King, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, Steve Coogan and more are always fun to hear. Speaking of fun to hear, get ready for Pharrell’s singles to show up on a lot of playlists.

While the majority of my critic colleagues may not agree, I’m thinking that the majority of theater goers, both young and old, will laugh along with me.

Rated PG

1 Hour 35 Minutes

If this Despicable Me 4 review sends you and yours scurrying over to the cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Despicable Me 4 review says the minions make the movie, no matter what else does (or doesn’t) happen.