Despicable Me is due to be released in theaters nationwide on July 9, 2010 (in 3D, too!) but, my kids and I had the pleasure of being invited to a special screening (i.e. we had reserved seats and everything) close to home, right here in Jersey (thank you, Dina!) on Saturday and, well, I had my doubts.
I hadn't heard much about it, besides that Steve Carell was in it (or, at least his voice) and the kids and I absolutely LOVE him!
Did I mention, we had reserved seats and, well, I left early (i.e. before shore traffic) AND fully-armed with donut holes?
In the beginning of the movie, we meet Gru (Steve Carell) who is NOT the nicest guy, really. In fact, he strives to be the world's greatest super-villain AND enjoys performing random acts of meanness like, the above scene -- which, may be a little disturbing to pre-schoolers -- that, interestingly enough, left more than a few of us parents chuckling.
That's the thing about Despicable Me; a part of me was, like...I can't believe I'm laughing at this dude, behaving SO badly...while, the other part of me was, like...I want a freeze gun...badly...so, you see where I'm going with this...right?
Gru is a cross between Dr. Evil (Austin Powers) and a lovable Uncle Fester (Adams Family, yeah, I know, I'm old) who, ever since he was a kid, watched as his dream to go to the moon, got shot down, repeatedly, by his own mother (Julie Andrews?) and, well, at this point, I couldn't help but root for the poor despicable little dude.
Until, he incorporates three little orphaned girls into his evil plans and, I'll be honest, the fact that we first meet Agnes, Edith and Margo selling cookies...door-to-door...freaked me out a little.
Okay, a lot.
Then, Gru adopts them with false credentials (UGH!) however, it is at this point in the movie, when the girls beg Gru to take them to an amusement park, that I started to relax, a little.
We are then introduced to Gru's minions who are ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL!
[snort]
The minions are supposed to be evil and, well, they're not. Sorta cute, even. The slapstick is incredibly funny and it is ONLY a movie, right?
Besides, where the world only sees Gru as a villain...the girls look at him as a potential Dad...and it's just a whole lot of fun watching Gru battle his inner-good vs. man, but I could SO use a freeze gun, right about now!
FINAL VERDICT: Yes, I was a little freaked out by the visuals in the beginning of this movie (i.e. little kids being treated badly, lots of stuff blowing up) and some of the 3D CGI stuff might be a little frightening to the pre-schooler set (glad I wore my contact lenses) but, my kids DID remind me that Despicable Me IS rated PG and, I have to say, I actually ended up enjoying the movie. A lot. So did A LOT of other parents, who seemed to empathize with Gru and laughed at parts of the movie...more than their kids did...because, a few younger children started getting real fidgety...which, then begs the question, freeze gun...yes, or no?...discuss?
Want to see it?
The good folks representing Universal Studios have put together a pretty prize package for one (1) of our beloved readers, including:
- $50 Fandango Gift Card for Family Movie Night!
- Youth Shirt
- Youth Hat
- Moo-Can (it really moos!)
- Pencil with Minion Topper
- Balloon
- Minion Ink Stamp
- 12” Blow Up Minion
Because, we roll like that!
GET IT HERE: To enter, leave a comment, like, time when you could use a freeze gun (Me? Most definitely, quieting folks down, in a movie theater!) along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 5th and you're automatically entered to win. One (1) winner will be picked (via random.org) and announced via email and posted on My Prizey Giveaways Page!
'CAWSE WE LOVE TO SHARE SOME EXTRA CHANCES (not required) TO WIN, TOO:
Subscribe to our feed - leave separate comment.
Subscribe to our updates via email - leave separate comment.
Post on Facebook/Twitter (I'm @thisfullhouse) - leave separate comment & link to Tweet.
Also, check out my personal blog (when you have time, of course) and I'll love you forever :)
© 2010 This Full House Gone Shopping
DISCLOSURE: NO PAYMENTS, OR CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A SAMPLE OF THE PRODUCT AND CHANCE TO SHARE COOL STUFF WITH OUR READERS, BY HOSTING A GIVEAWAY, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.
