Despicable Me 3 (2017)

"Oh, it is on like Donkey Kong!"

So we have another Despicable Me sequel and... yeah, this is one too many, isn't it, really? Don't get me wrong; the film isn't bad. But we're really getting to the point now where things are starting to feel a bit repetitive.

That said, I enjoyed it, even if I wasn't necessarily blown away. The characters are intrinsically funny, and the actors are all good, with Kristen Wiig in particular being outstanding. Bratt is an amusing villain, with his extreme eightiesness extending to a hairstyle which involves both mullet and spiky hair, constant use of Rubiks' cubes and bubble gum everywhere. Also, it's amusing to see Gru's twin brother, and the three girls are cute. But, well, the film comes in at less than 90 minutes and I think there's a reason for that.

Still, there is cool stuff, much of it revolving around Eighties references: "I love it when a plan comes together", indeed. "Monsieur Pompo" is a nice little dig at Trump. We get Minions, in prison, ruling the roost and being well 'ard. It's just that an awful lot of the character sub-plots (such as Margo's accidental "engagement") don't really go anywhere and it just feels as though the script could do with a couple of more drafts. Having said that, the film is worth seeing if you liked the others. Please, though, let us not have any more.

Minions (2015)

"Gentlemen do not steal ladies' crowns!"

This is yet another instalment of Minion fun; by no means one of the greatest comedy films of all time but a thoroughly entertaining romp with a first class '60s rock soundtrack. It's 1968, and the pre-Gru and tragically bossless Minions seek to become the underlings of the splendidly supervillainous Scarlet Underkill (Sandra Bullock in a rare appearance in a film that isn't rubbish).

I love the gentle mockery of us Brits as unflappable and always reaching for a cup of tea in a crisis (I certainly do so, in a crisis and at all other times), however much I somehow doubt the constitutional validity of Bob becoming king by simply drawing a sword from a stone, which is apparently a tourist attraction in central London. It seems the Glorious Revolution never happened. Hmmm. I also loved the inevitable Beatles cameo, and the nice family of bank robbers who kindly pick up hitch hikers.

It ends entertainingly, with Scarlet turning into a massive Dalek and a final intervention from a very young Gru. This is a very silly film and one I much enjoyed.

Despicable Me 2 (2013)

"Good day, Mr Sheepsbutt."

"Ramsbottom!"

This is a bloody good film and well funny although, of course, it's now impossible for Gru to be a proper super villain again. Instead he works for a group of comedy special agents while having a love interest, looking after his daughters and losing Dr Nefarious to a proper supervillain. It's a predictable set-up, but who cares; it's funny.

Seeing Gru playing the part of dad to his three cute little girls will never stop being funny, and the birthday party at the start is hilarious. Not quite so comedic, but heartwarming nonetheless, is his developing relationship with Lucy Wilde. Her introduction, though, having a gadget for everything, is highly amusing.

Also amusing is the idea of Gru now using all his supervillain stuff to, er, make jam. The minions are funny and cute, obviously. My favourite scenes are probably the ones during Gru's date with that horrible conformist woman. And, when it seems that plot convenience is to separate them, there's a hilariously tense scene with Gru trying to pluck up the courage to pick up the phone and ask her out. Inevitably, the girls end up with a new mum.

All of that sounds excessively soppy for a comedy, and it is, but again who cares as there are laughs aplenty. This is just as good as it's predecessor.