Despicable Me 3 Parent Guide
Despite some sour potty humor and a script aimed at adults, this animation still shares some sweet messages about family life.
Parent Movie Review
Gru, Lucy (voices by Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig) and their adorable daughters may be moviegoers’ new favorite family. And for good reason. The villain turned virtuous dad adopted three orphans and then married his secret agent sweetheart. While Gru got the fatherhood thing figured out in the previous movies, Lucy still hasn’t found her footing when it comes to life as a parent.
Meanwhile the minions have had it with Gru’s good guy persona and set out on their own. However, their reformed boss is soon tempted to return to the dark side. The invitation comes from his twin Dru (voice also by Carell), a sibling Gru didn’t know he had. Dru, also a villain, wants Gru to join him in a heist that will bond them as brothers.
The tantalizing lure of Dru’s secret stash of crime accessories proves too much to resist for Gru, who was recently fired from work. In a moment of weakness, Gru abandons his newly embraced morals and agrees to help Dru steal the world’s largest diamond.
For audiences, it may be impossible to find three cuter characters than Margo (voice by Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (voice by Dana Gaier) and Agnes (voice by Nev Scharrel). But despite their big eyes and winsome personalities, this isn’t an entirely kid-friendly film, especially for younger children. Like so many animations, this one is packed full of cartoon-style punches, scuffles, guns, rockets and explosions. The script also introduces a mammoth-sized robot intent on destroying Los Angeles. And though Captain Underpants may have the scoop on bathroom humor, this movie isn’t far behind when it comes to potty-mouths. The minions, though mostly unintelligible, still make rude jokes about body parts, flatulence and prison culture. Aa well, a couple of characters lose their clothes, though certain body parts remain strategically covered by bubble gum.
However, the biggest reason this film might lose your child’s attention is the script itself. Sure the minions shuffle their way across the screen, uttering gibberish for giggles. And more action scenes will engage kids, at least for a while. But young ones won’t get the 80s era jokes—mullets, shoulder pads, track suits, aerobic exercise and disco balls—or the film’s deeper storylines. Those are aimed at adults dealing with grown-up issues like job loss, personal disappointments, family issues or new responsibilities.
Fortunately, this sequel comes with some sweet life lessons about dealing with those grown-up concerns. (Even little Agnes choses to face disappointment with a positive attitude adjustment.) But the messages most likely to charm audience members are those about families, in all their configurations. Because nothing could be better than someone who has your back.
Directed by Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin . Starring Kristen Wiig, Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove, Trey Parker.. Running time: 90 minutes. Theatrical release June 30, 2017. Updated December 5, 2017About author
Despicable Me 3
Rating & Content Info
Why is Despicable Me 3 rated PG? Despicable Me 3 is rated PG by the MPAA for action and rude humor.
Violence: Characters punch, kick, steal and attempt to destroy property. Others are crushed, hit in the face with a dart, shot with tranquilizers, bitten by a dog and electrocuted. Character are impaled or threatened with impalement. Guns, rockets and explosions are shown. Prison culture is depicted. A character is temporarily blinded from a toy laser. The film contains frequent action scenes.
Sexual Content: Naked men are shown on two occasions although body parts are strategically covered. Women are seen in swimwear on the beach. A minion experiences wardrobe malfunctions and his chest is quickly covered by another minion. Two minions rub their buttocks together. A man remarks when a pig noses him in his “private” parts. Several anatomical-related comments are made. A boy tries to kiss a girl. A man says he’s “peed his pants”.
Language: Characters engage in frequent name-calling and some other rude humor, including a few flatulence jokes.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Two little girls go into a bar where men are drinking. Wine glasses are shown on the table during dinner. Characters are knocked out with tranquilizers.
Page last updated December 5, 2017
Despicable Me 3 Parents' Guide
What family issues arise in this film? How does Gru feel about his newly-discovered brother? What kind of relationship did both Dru and Gru have with their parents? How does Lucy feel about her new role as a mom? What challenges is she facing? How does she connect with the girls? What are the important lessons these characters learn about being in a family?
Several of the characters in this story experience disappointment or letdowns of some sort. How do they deal with them? How does Gru’s job loss affect his self-confidence? How does a former child star deal with the disappointments of his youth? What does Agnes do when things don’t turn out exactly as she’d hoped in the forest? What do you do when things don’t go exactly as planned? Do you consider yourself to be a resilient person?
News About "Despicable Me 3"
Buzz
This third installment in the Despicable Me franchise (which also inspired the spin-off film Minions) introducesa new character: Gru's twin brother Dru (both voiced by Steve Carell). Apparently they were separated at birth when Gru's parent divorced -- kind of like the girls in the Parent Trap movies (see Parent Trap 1961 and Parent Trap 1998).
It looks like this new-found brother may be a bad influence because he wants Gru to return to the life of a super villain.
In the first Despicable Me, Gru's evil doings can to a halt after his hard heart was melted by three young orphans, Margo, Edith and Agnes (voices of Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Nev Scharrel).
In Despicable Me 2, Gru uses his talents for good by becoming a spy and taking down a bad guy. He also falls in love with a beautiful covert agent (voice of Kristen Wiig).
We are hoping he doesn't lose all that positive reformation in this new adventure.
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Despicable Me 3 movie is December 5, 2017. Here are some details…
Home Video Notes: Despicable Me 3
Release Date: 5 December 2017
Despicable Me 3 releases to home video (Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/Digital Copy or Blu-ray/Digital Copy) with the following extras:
- Digital Copy of Despicable Me 3 (Subject to expiration. Go to NBCUCodes.com for details.)
- Deleted Scene with Intro by Dana Gaier
- Minion Moments
- Character Profiles
- The Making of Despicable Me 3
- Developing Dru
- The AVL Files
- Freedonia Visitors Guide
- Despicable Me T
- “Doowit” Sing-Along
- “Yellow Light” Music Video
- Minion Mug Shots
- Wanted Posters
- Mini-Movie: The Secret Life of Kyle
Home Video Notes: Illumination Presents: 3-Movie Collection (Despicable Me / Despicable Me 2 / Despicable Me 3)
Release Date: 5 December 2017
Universal is releasing the Illumination Presents: 3-Movie Collection featuring Despicable Me / Despicable Me 2 / Despicable Me 3 to home video (Blu-ray/DVD/Digital or DVD/Digital).
Related home video titles:
This movie is the sequel to Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2.
Related news about Despicable Me 3
