Despicable Me 2
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| Despicable Me 2 | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Despicable Me 2 |
| Director | Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud |
| Producer | Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy |
| Music | Heitor Pereira |
| Studio | Illumination Entertainment, Universal Pictures |
| Distributor | Universal Pictures |
| Released | 2013 |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Despicable Me 2 Despicable Me 2 is a 2013 animated action comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin and produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, the film continues the story of the reformed supervillain protagonist and his interactions with a cast of supporting characters, international agencies, and new adversaries. The film features voice performances from a roster of prominent entertainers and was accompanied by a global marketing campaign and a commercially successful soundtrack.
Plot
The narrative follows the protagonist after events that follow from the original film involving the adoption of three orphaned sisters from San Francisco. Recruited by an international law enforcement organization modeled on agencies such as Interpol and Central Intelligence Agency to investigate a mysterious weaponized serum, the protagonist partners with an agent whose background evokes archetypes associated with FBI task forces and MI6 operations. The plot weaves through locations including urban centers reminiscent of Los Angeles, resort islands that recall Hawaii and tropical settings like Bahamas, and corporate environments akin to Silicon Valley headquarters. Antagonists use biotechnology reminiscent of research from institutions such as MIT and Johns Hopkins University to develop mood-altering compounds, while a multinational corporation subplot channels imagery associated with Monsanto-style conglomerates and pharmaceutical firms like Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline in pursuit of profit. Encounters include heists and chase sequences that reference cinematic set pieces from franchises such as Mission: Impossible and James Bond while also foregrounding familial themes explored in works like Home Alone and Toy Story 3.
Cast and characters
The principal cast comprises performers with histories in animation and live-action. The protagonist is voiced by an actor whose career spans Saturday Night Live and various comedy films; his supporting family includes characters linked to performers who have worked on The Simpsons and 30 Rock. The law enforcement agent is portrayed by a performer known for roles in Bridesmaids and The Hangover, alongside a comedic foil voiced by an actor associated with The Office (US) and Parks and Recreation. The antagonist draws on vocal performance traditions established by actors from Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings ensembles. A chorus of small yellow henchmen are designed and voiced under the supervision of the directors, with motion design influences traceable to animation studios such as Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Cameos and minor roles include talent who have worked with DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Columbia Pictures, and theatrical performers from Royal Shakespeare Company and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
Production
Development originated at Illumination Entertainment under producer Chris Meledandri, following the financial and critical outcomes of the first installment associated with Universal Pictures. Screenwriters expanded on character arcs influenced by family comedies from Amblin Entertainment and animated sequels produced by Blue Sky Studios and Laika (company). The directors, having backgrounds connected to projects at Pixar Animation Studios and Columbia Pictures, collaborated with supervising animators who previously worked on films released by Walt Disney Pictures and DreamWorks Animation. Voice recording sessions occurred in studios proximate to Los Angeles International Airport and sound facilities used by musicians affiliated with Hans Zimmer and John Williams orchestras. Visual effects and animation pipelines integrated software architectures inspired by tools from Industrial Light & Magic, Autodesk, and render farms comparable to those at Digital Domain. Post-production involved color grading techniques employed in titles distributed by 20th Century Fox and editing workflows resembling those of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Release and marketing
The film's release strategy was coordinated by Universal Pictures with tie-ins across media properties owned by Comcast and partners including McDonald's, Walmart, and Fandango. Premiere events occurred alongside film festivals such as Cannes Film Festival and market screenings at San Diego Comic-Con style venues. Promotional campaigns featured trailers attached to releases from Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures, and cross-promotions with television networks like NBC and ABC plus streaming platforms comparable to Netflix and Hulu. International distribution engaged regional distributors linked to Sony Pictures Releasing and Lionsgate in select territories, while merchandise lines were produced under licenses managed by Hasbro and Mattel with retail rollouts coordinated through Target and Amazon (company).
Reception
Box office performance placed the film among high-grossing animated releases alongside titles from Pixar such as Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3, with opening weekend metrics comparable to records set by Frozen and Shrek 2. Critical responses referenced comparisons to comedic voice work in Despicable Me (franchise) predecessors and animated sequels like Ice Age: Continental Drift. Awards season placements included nominations in categories at ceremonies run by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and guild recognitions from the Annie Awards and Golden Globe Awards circuits. Audience reception measured via ticketing services like Box Office Mojo and review aggregators paralleled family-oriented successes such as The Incredibles and Monsters, Inc..
Soundtrack
The soundtrack, scored by Heitor Pereira, incorporated pop inclusions and original compositions with production elements akin to recordings produced for Guardians of the Galaxy and La La Land tie-ins. Licensed tracks echo musical cues found in soundtracks released by Sony Music Entertainment and Republic Records, and promotional singles were marketed similarly to releases managed by Interscope Records and Atlantic Records. Sound design drew on mixing practices common to soundtracks produced at Abbey Road Studios and EastWest Studios.
Sequels and franchise impact
The film contributed to the expansion of its franchise with subsequent entries produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, influencing theme park integrations at Universal Studios Hollywood and licensing arrangements with global entertainment conglomerates such as Six Flags and Disney Parks alternatives. Its commercial model affected animated feature strategies at studios including DreamWorks Animation, Pixar, and Blue Sky Studios, and it played a role in home media distribution patterns implemented by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Category:2013 films Category:Animated films