Despicable Me 3 is out today on Blu-ray and DVD! If you missed out on seeing the highest grossing animated film of 2017, then we’ve got the full review for you!

The Film

Despicable Me 3 picks up some time after the second movie, with Gru and Lucy, or Grucy as she likes to call them, happily married and fighting crime together. Unfortunately, Gru is bested by ’80s man-child, Balthazar Bratt, and they are fired. Not long after this, Gru discovers that he has a long-lost twin brother living in the weirdly stereotypical Russian/Italian/Germanic country of Freedonia. With no job tying them down, the family goes off to visit and wacky hijinks ensue. The girls attend a cheese festival, hunt a unicorn, and accidentally get engaged to a local. Like you do!

Gru’s brother, Dru, reveals that their father was a notorious super villain. He begs Gru to help him achieve his dream of becoming one too, as he seems to have had just as strained a relationship with their father as Gru had with their mother and he still wants to make their father proud. As luck would have it, Balthazar Bratt strikes again, stealing a priceless gem to use in a horrific scheme to destroy Hollywood. Seeing an opportunity to get their jobs back, Gru convinces Dru to help him “steal” (recover) the jewel. Things go wrong, the girls are kidnapped, Hollywood is imperiled, but this is a family movie, so (spoiler alert) you’re pretty much guaranteed a happy return to the status quo by the end of the movie.

My Thoughts

Despicable Me 3 was… fine. Just fine. It had a clichéd but passable plot, amusing sight gags, and it’s always nice to see characters you like again. However the fact that it somehow has gone on to become the fourth highest grossing animated movie of all time is still kind of baffling to me. Don’t get me wrong, I do not hate this movie by any means, I’m not even one who hates the Minions, I just don’t see what everyone else sees in this movie that makes it insanely popular. That being said, if you have enjoyed the previous movies, but you haven’t seen this one yet, then by all means, go see it. It’s not as good as the original, but it’s just as enjoyable as the sequel.

I do have to add though, as much as everyone wants to hate on the Minions, I actually found them to be the funniest parts of this movie. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on who you ask, but I thought they were actually funny and I loved their big musical number. I think it helped a lot that they were used so sparingly compared to the previous film, but – whatever the reason – I actually really liked them in this movie.

Trailer

Special Features

If you are anything like me, then the special features are where it’s at. If this had been a movie I liked as a kid, then this Blu-ray would set the standard by which other Blu-rays are judged. In an age where studios seem to be skimping out on bonus content, Illumination seems to have gone out of its way to make this set worth your while! It is absolutely packed with everything I wanted from a DVD when I was a kid, and more! Let’s break it all down.

All-New Mini Movie – The Secret Life of Kyle

A brand new short film that actually features a character other than the Minions? Yes! This short features Gru’s hideous little dog (?) Kyle, as he goes about his day: terrorizing the mailman, having his own adventure, and even falling in love. This was probably my favorite of the bonus features.

Minion Moments

These are not exactly short films, but they are kind of bonus, very short, cartoons. These feature the Minions getting up to their Minion-y antics. They are funny, but nothing too special. If you’re a Minion fan, then you’ll definitely want to check these out.

Deleted Scene

A single, fully produced, deleted scene featuring Edith, with an intro by Dana Gaier, the voice of Edith.

Character Profiles

Pretty much just what it says. Character profiles, presented by the actors who play them.

The Making of Despicable Me 3

Another one exactly as it says. A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.

Developing Dru

A behind the scenes look at creating the new character of Gru’s brother, Dru.

The AVL Files

An interactive recreation of the Anti-Villain League’s database, which spotlights the heroes and villains of the franchise. This one is definitely more kid friendly.

Freedonia Visitors Guide

Another kid-friendly one. Similar to the AVL files, this is an interactive map of Freedonia.

Despicable Me TV

Parody commercials for:

“Balthazar Bratt Action Figure”

“Bad Boy Bod by Balthazar Bratt”

“Agnes’ Super Cute, Incredibly Amazing Toy Sale”

Music Videos

“Doowit” – A sing along music video with Pharrell.

“Yellow Light” – The official music video by Pharrell.

Galleries

Minion Mugshots – Exactly what it says: various pictures of the minions after their arrest in the film.

Wanted Posters – Pretty much the same as before, but as posters.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a Despicable Me fan, then you are going to want to get this set. If you’re a more a casual fan, then maybe just rent it, but make sure you get ahold of this set. With as many bonus features as they have crammed in here, it’s definitely a must watch, if not a must buy.

Purchase: Despicable Me 3
Blu-ray | DVD

Have you seen Despicable Me 3?
How did you think it compared to the previous films?

Edited by: Hannah Wilkes