Despicable Me 2 (2013)

The critic calls the sequel a buoyant improvement on the original. They praise its Looney Tunes-style visual gags and snappy one-liners.

The review gives the animated sequel a positive verdict. It highlights the Minions’ increased prominence as a strength.

Sharkey finds the sequel refreshingly willing to focus on adult family and dating concerns, though it occasionally gets too mushy. She especially praises its visually inventive animation and the chaotic sequences when the transformative substance is unleashed.

Bradshaw calls it a likable, sweet-natured family sequel, though it does not rival Pixar’s golden age. He praises its resilient daftness and reliable silliness.

Debruge finds the sequel endearing and nearly as charming as the original, though somewhat less inspired. He praises its playful, old-fashioned cartoon sensibility and steady comic energy, while faulting the story for feeling overcomplicated and lacking a proper ending.

Ebiri finds the sequel less inventive than the original but ultimately charming. He praises Steve Carell’s distinctive voice performance and the film’s playful gadgetry and slapstick.

O'Hara finds the film uneven but ultimately entertaining, with Gru retaining his charm. She singles out the Minions as the source of its biggest laughs, while noting that the story sags in the middle.

The review finds the sequel’s adventures underwhelming and badly paced, but says it ultimately comes together. It praises the manic Minions, whose finale brings the film to life.

The critic finds the sequel entertaining, though less inspired than its predecessor. They praise its zippy visuals and pitch-perfect voice cast.

The page identifies this as a review, but the review text is inaccessible behind a paywall. Its verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined from the available content.

The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No praise or complaint can be reliably identified from the available text.

Lemire finds the sequel entertaining but overstuffed. She singles out the Minions as its most amusing element.

The three-star rating suggests a mixed-to-positive verdict. The standfirst singles out Hollywood animation’s growing reliance on repetition and sequels.

Winning finds the sequel a pale imitation of its predecessor, with a scattershot plot and Gru’s softened humor weakening it. He praises the minions as reliable sources of laughs who help buoy the flat scenes.

Dowd finds the sequel too nice and lacking the original’s edge. He singles out the minions’ brief transformation into monsters as its one inspired idea.

Cabin finds the film unsatisfying, criticizing its scattered subplots and pandering attempt to please everyone. He praises the anarchic minion antics and occasional flashes of imaginative comic bedlam.

Solomon finds the sequel a cynical, derivative exercise in franchise-building rather than an inventive film. He especially objects to its borrowing from earlier films and its predictable story, while criticizing scenes he says risk offending viewers.

Crawford finds the film a lively, highly entertaining success for children and adults. He particularly praises its animation, convincing physical world and well-targeted slapstick humor.

Burgin finds the sequel more fun than its predecessor and says it builds effectively on Gru’s established character. He praises its warm message that everyone deserves to be loved.

Breen finds it delightful, heartfelt family entertainment, with Gru’s romantic growth providing an especially moving thread. She praises the animation, comic performances, and Minions, though she objects to a couple of lazy fart gags and the closing use of “YMCA.”

Brew finds it a fun, solid sequel with enough energy and humor, though its story feels familiar. He praises the Minions’ comedy and the fast-paced gags, while noting they paper over narrative weaknesses.

The critic finds the sequel entertaining but less fresh and emotionally substantial than its predecessor. He praises its visual set pieces and cast, while noting that the Minions risk wearing out their welcome and Gru’s character development feels weaker.

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Goldberg finds the sequel unfocused, with Gru and his daughters sidelined to make room for the minions. He praises the minions’ comic appeal and expressive gibberish, while criticizing the reduced character development and world-building.

The critic finds the sequel blander and less funny than the original. The minions remain scene-stealing, but the review complains that they do not get enough screen time.