Peter (Jason Segel) and Sarah (Kristen Bell) have been together for five years. Sarah is an actress, starring in a TV crime drama, playing a homicide detective. Peter - a composer - writes the music for the show.
When Sarah reveals that she has been seeing someone else for some time, Peter is understandably heartbroken.
On the advice of his step brother Brian (Bill Hader), he begins sleeping around with as many women as possible to try and find the one for him.
Rachel (Mila Kunis) and Peter (Jason Segel).
When this doesn't seem to work, he decides to go to Hawaii for a week's holiday to take his mind off of Sarah. However. When he arrives there, he finds that Sarah and her new boyfriend - singer Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) - are staying in the same hotel.
While there he befriends Rachel (Mila Kunis) who works on the front desk at the hotel and the two of them become very close.
Of course, it isn't long before Peter and Sarah try to rekindle their relationship. But things don't go quite as planned.
Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) and Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).
The screenplay, written by Segel, is quite clever. While a lot of the jokes are crude in nature, the similarities and contrasts between Sarah and Rachel are well-constructed and well-executed. The script follows general romantic comedy tropes, so much of the plot will not come as a surprise to many viewers.
There is not a lot of scoring in this film from composer Lyle Workman. However, there are a lot of songs, seemingly written by Peter, who is also in his spare time writing a rock opera based on the story of Dracula to be performed with puppets.
The cinematography, by Russ T. Alsobrook, is fairly standard for a film of this genre, and doesn’t feature anything particularly distinctive, or memorable, or even worth mentioning.
Brian (Bill Hader).
It should come as no surprise that the performances of the cast are well suited to this film. Apart from the leads previously mentioned, there is also a great supporting cast, including Jonah Hill as a waiter at the hotel, Paul Rudd as a surfing instructor, and Kristen Wiig as a yoga instructor.
Director Nicholas Stoller has made a reasonable enough film here, one that while I would be quite happy to watch again, is certainly not the best film I have ever seen, or even the best film I have seen in this genre.
The original film that started the hugely popular franchise, this was actually the first animated feature from Illumination, and is still one of their best.
Super villain Gru (Steve Carell) has a problem. There is another villain getting all the credit for the best crimes and heists, and Gru’s popularity is waning.
When this new villain, who goes by the name of Vector (Jason Segel), steals a pyramid, Gru realises he needs to step up his game, or become obsolete.
Gru (Steve Carell).
With the assistance of long-time collaborator Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and his army of little yellow Minions (who are actually super-cute rather than super-evil), he plans the greatest crime he can think of: he plans to steal the moon.
But first, he needs to outsmart the young upstart Vector. Enlisting the help of three young girls - Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher) - orphans who live in Miss Hattie’s Home for Girls, run by the over-bearing Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig), he begins his evil plot.
Under the pretence of adopting the three girls, he begins to enact his plan.
Gru's mother (Julie Andrews) with Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher).
The only problem is, the more time he spends with the three girls, the more he comes to love and appreciate them. And if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his evil streak altogether.
The screenplay, written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, is very clever, filled with plenty of humour that will appeal not only to children, but also to adults. Animated films that span this audience age range quickly become favourites, and this film was certainly no exception at the time of its release. Even now, nearly ten years later, it still stands up to this scrutiny, and I still love it every time I watch it.
The humour is accentuated well by the performances of the entire voice cast. Steve Carell is fantastic as Gru, bringing real personality to the character. The three young girls are also great, particularly Elsie Fisher as the youngest sister Agnes, who certainly has some of the best lines.
The Minions.
Heitor Pereira’s score, and the original songs by Pharrell Williams, also add their part to the overall experience of the film, highlighting particular moments in the story, but never overpowering the action. In fact, for an animated film, it is scored very sparingly, and in a good way.
Co-directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud have made a wonderful film here, with plenty to appeal to audiences of all ages. The many sequels this film has spawned (with still more to come) keep up the same quality, but of course, this original is certainly up there among my favourite animated films of all time.
The first film directed by Jared Hess (think Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, or Gentlemen Broncos, to name just a few) that he did not write (or even co-write) the screenplay to, this still has his distinctive mark all over it, in a good way.
David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) is an employee of Loomis Fargo, a job he loves dearly. Though his job is incredibly repetitive, he has become so trusted as an armored-car driver, he is the only non-management employee to be entrusted with keys to the vault.
When new employee, attractive and flirtatious Kelly (Kristen Wiig) starts working with him, he finds it difficult to remain completely faithful to his fiancee Jandice (Kate McKinnon). The two of them become very close, and she (one way or another) convinces him to help her steal over $17 million dollars from the company.
David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) and Kelly (Kristen Wiig).
The two become involved with small-time criminal Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and his wife Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Ellis). Steve uses (and abuses) David's incredibly trusting nature, and convinces him to take the entire fall for the heist, and then flee to Mexico.
David believes the whole time that Kelly will be joining him in Mexico, when in reality, Chambers turns Ghantt into the FBI, beginning a cat-and-mouse game between David and international police, including FBI Agents Scanlon (Leslie Jones) and Plewe (Jon Daly).
Throw in an incredibly eccentric hitman named Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis), and you have the recipe for a hilarious comedy, in a very similar vein to Hess's previous films.
David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) and Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis).
His trademark long camera shots (long as in duration, not distance from the action) and slightly odd characters and situations are all here, giving the film a very similar feel to his previous offerings. However, he did not write the screenplay this time around. The screenplay was written by Chris Bowman & Hubbel Palmer and Emily Spivey, and the style does feel different enough from Hess's style, though the film is definitely identifiable as a Jared Hess film.
The cast all perform their roles very well, almost always underplaying the comedy (again in that typical Hess style). Galifianakis in particular is fabulous as the reluctant hero, and it is a role that is different enough from his previous work, too. Jason Sudeikis is also great as McKinney, but certainly, the two best performances have got to be from Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, who both do an incredible job in their roles. It is definitely a change to not see these two brilliant comedians working together, as they don't really have any scenes together (they do work very well together, as those who have seen their work before will know), but they both still do a brilliant job at portraying their characters, and again underplaying the comedy.
Agent Scanlon (Leslie Jones).
Sarah Edwards's costume design is well done, clearly defining and revealing each character. And with that, the production design, courtesy of Clayton Hartley, sets each and every scene in a very real world.
Despite not writing the screenplay, Hess has still managed to leave his mark all over this film, establishing himself as a truly unique director with a unique vision. This is a very clever film, using all the classic tropes and rules of comedy, while never descending into cliche or stereotype. If you haven't seen it, I would certainly recommend it, particularly if you have enjoyed any of Jared Hess's previous offerings.
When genetic researcher Dr. Jorgen Asbjørnsen (Rolf Lassgård) discovers a method for significantly reducing cellular mass in a laboratory in Norway, the implications have huge potential for the wider world.
He shares his findings at a conference on climate change, believing that by shrinking down human beings to a fraction of their normal size, the human race can reduce their carbon footprint, and make the world a more sustainable place to live.
Fast forward ten years, and the world is indeed a vastly different place. Many communities have sprung up around the globe, inhabited by people who have chosen to ‘downsize’. Everything in these communities is smaller, meaning that an entire city full of people can be housed in an area of only a few hundred square kilometres.
Two people who decide to undergo this dramatic change are Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig). Initially, they come to their decision because they are finding it difficult to purchase their own home in the current property market, and because of the difference in size of absolutely everything in these small-people communities, they can purchase the house of their dreams which is little bigger than a shoebox to a full-sized person, and they can still have plenty of money left over, and can essentially live as ‘millionaires’ for only an investment of a few hundred thousand.
But when it comes time to undergo the procedure, Audrey chickens out and leaves the facility, while Paul is shrunk down to a height of only a few inches. He now finds himself ‘alone’ in this new world, and having to get used to life on his own again.
Making friends with a neighbour Dusan Mirkovic (Christoph Waltz) and cleaning woman Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau) - who is actually a political refugee originally from Vietnam - he begins to adjust to his new predicament, and maybe even learn to love again.
This is an incredibly innovative film from director Alexander Payne, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor. They really have thought of everything to make this world seem so incredibly real. Every tiny little detail (no pun intended) has been addressed, and there are a lot of really sweet moments.
At the same time, there are a lot of really difficult moments, things that maybe characters hadn’t considered in undergoing this procedure of ‘downsizing’. The film is an interesting critique of modern society, and the lengths to which some people may go to make life more liveable and sustainable.
The cast are well-suited to their roles. The chemistry between Damon and Wiig (at least at the beginning of the film) is just beautiful; they really work well together playing husband and wife, and the relationship seems genuine in a very understated way.
Hong Chau is just perfect in her portrayal of Ngoc Lan Tran, and is a very talented performer. There are some really touching moments in several of her scenes. She plays the comedy very well, and the drama exceptionally well, especially in the second half of the film. One cannot fail to be deeply moved by her performance.
There are also a couple of fun cameos from Neil Patrick Harris and Laura Dern, who play a married couple involved in recruiting people to join their small community.
Even as much as I laughed heartily at many moments in this film - the comedic timing of all cast and creative team is superb - I have to say there were just as many moments where I found myself in tears, having been profoundly affected by the repercussions of various plot points. Of course, I don’t want to spoil anything, but this film is just beautiful in every sense.
Every single person involved in the production of this film has done an incredible job, and I just know this is going to be a film I am going to watch many more times.
The whole gang are back for another brilliant animated family comedy from the team at Illumination.
Well, almost the whole gang. The villain(s) are different this time around, so no Jason Segel (who played Victor/Vector in the first instalment).
However, Gru (Steve Carell), Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), Agnes (Elsie Fisher), Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and a host of minions are back, and just as enjoyable this time around.
Of course, things have calmed down since the events of the first film. Gru and the girls have settled into home life. Gru, Dr. Nefario and the minions (rather than trying to hatch the next evil plot) have started their own jam and jelly production business. Yes, you read that right.
Naturally, as with any great film, it isn't long at all before this new equilibrium is disturbed. Gru is summoned to a meeting with the Anti-Villain League by an agent named Lucy (Kristen Wiig), and given the assignment (along with Lucy) of finding and apprehending another villain who is trying to take over the world in his own way.
Gru is at first reluctant, but decides to take on the assignment.
You know what sentence comes next. Of course, I'm not going to go any further in outlining the plot. I would rather allow you to enjoy it for yourself at your earliest convenience.
I will, however, say that this is one of only a few sequels in the history of cinema that not only equals but surpasses the original. I think it helps that the original cast have almost all returned (except for the above-mentioned Jason Segel). The chemistry between the main characters is wonderful, and the screenplay (again by the directorial duo of Paul & Daurio) is flawless. Those studious readers among you may also have noticed that the writer/director team is also the same as the first film, which gives everything a definite cohesion. It doesn't feel for a moment that we are watching something that was released purely for financial reasons (though I'm sure that did play a part; we do live in a capitalist world, after all). Rather, it feels we are merely experiencing a new chapter in the lives of characters we have grown to love and care about.
The three girls, especially Agnes, steal the show once again, while the numerous minion personalities lay the foundations for what will eventually mean a spin-off in the later Minions film. But in my opinion, it is Gru and the three girls that make for the most resounding laughs (and tears). Let's hope the third instalment of the Despicable Me franchise keeps these characters alive and well.
Considering I could not fault this film at all, I have no alternative but to award it an unequivocal 10 out of 10.
