3D – 2 out of 5


Another week, another animated feature released in 3D. If this had been one of the first ones I’d watched it might have scored higher but this market’s getting saturated and it takes something really special visually to stand out after you’ve been spoilt with Avatar, A Christmas Carol and Legend of the Guardians.

And unfortunately visually this just aint that special. Sure the animation is great as you’d expect but 3D wise it’s just a bit flat, except for a couple of moments this film just didn’t need to be in 3D or benefit from it. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it any more or less if it was in standard 2D HD.

It’s not all bad though; the film itself is actually pretty good, certainly out of the kids films I’ve reviewed this one got more genuine belly laughs out of me that the rest have. The storyline is great, a criminal mastermind named Gru (Steve Carrel) whose been a bit off his game lately hatches the ultimate evil plan; he’s going to steal the moon – thing is he needs the help of three little orphan girls to topple his evil rival (Jason Segal) and complete his scheme.

As you would expect – things don’t go according to plan and he ends up at odds with being a super villain and falling soft for the little girls.

Finally! A soryline that hasn’t already been done to death! The conflicts between the two rival super villains are great – reminiscent of the old Tom & Jerry or Road Runner & Coyote movies but bought bang up to date and given a huge lick of polish – all these sequences are genuinely funny and this is nicely balanced out by the moving scenes as Gru starts to find his softer side thanks to the girls.

The film is a pleasure to sit though as an adult and great for the kids too. But this is a 3D movie review and it’s problem is that there’s just no point in buying it in 3D at all.