“Despicable Me” had two big things going for it — heart and humor.
“Despicable Me 2” doesn’t have nearly as much heart, but it makes up for that deficiency with a lot more humor.
It’s tough to find the same kind of emotional notes that made the original film — the 2010 hit where Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) goes from a super villain who steals the moon to the loving father of three orphans — so enjoyable. It seems almost impossible to emotionally top adopting orphans.
That’s why the sequel leans more on the humor, especially with a much-expanded role for the jabbering, yellow, round assistants known as his Minions. These are the funniest yellow characters this side of “The Simpsons.” Not since the “Madagascar” movies — where the feisty penguins stole the show — has a group of supporting players been so much fun.