Despicable Me 3 (2017) Movie Review#

Name: Despicable Me 3 (2017) - The Hilarious Reunion of Twin Brothers
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, Despicable Me
Released: 2025-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

📋 Basic Information#

Item	Details
Directors	Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
Starring	Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker
Genre	Animation / Comedy / Family / Adventure
Release Date	June 15, 2017
Runtime	90 minutes
Production	Illumination, Universal Pictures

📝 Synopsis#

This film continues the warm, comedic style of the first two movies, focusing on Gru and Lucy’s married life and continuing the hilarious story of Gru and his three daughters. The “villain” dad Gru must deal with the villain Balthazar Bratt, while the mischievous and adorable Minions continue their antics.

When Gru is fired from the Anti-Villain League, he unexpectedly learns he has a long-lost twin brother named Dru. Dru not only inherited the family’s enormous wealth but also yearns to continue the family’s “villain tradition.” Meanwhile, a villain obsessed with 80s pop culture named Balthazar Bratt is plotting to steal the world’s largest diamond…

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🎭 Character Highlight: The Addition of Dru#

The biggest highlight of Despicable Me 3 is the introduction of Gru’s twin brother Dru. Dru is a stark contrast to Gru - while Gru is gloomy and serious, Dru is cheerful, lively, and full of charm. Both characters are voiced by Steve Carell, delivering a brilliant vocal performance.

Dru’s addition brings a fresh dynamic to the film. He has always dreamed of becoming a supervillain like their father, while Gru has already “retired” from villainy. This clash of values adds dramatic tension while exploring themes of “family tradition” versus “personal choice.”

The scenes where the brothers work together are the most exciting parts of the film. They execute “villain operations” together, piloting high-tech vehicles with seamless coordination yet constant mishaps. This developing brotherhood adds a new emotional dimension to the series.

🌟 The Villain Balthazar Bratt#

The villain Balthazar Bratt is one of the most distinctive antagonists in the series. He is a former child star obsessed with 80s pop culture, wearing Michael Jackson-style outfits and committing crimes with 80s flair.

Bratt’s character design is filled with nostalgic elements: he uses giant robots, laser weapons, and retro video games as his criminal tools. Although evil, this villain carries a naive quality that makes him somewhat sympathetic - he just wants to prove he’s still the “main character.”

🎵 Musical Tribute#

Despicable Me 3 pays extensive tribute to 80s pop culture through its music. Pharrell Williams’ song “Yellow Light” incorporates retro synthesizer sounds that perfectly match the film’s nostalgic atmosphere.

Details like Bratt moonwalking and using a Walkman are loving homages to 80s pop culture. For adult viewers, these Easter eggs add extra enjoyment to the viewing experience.

💭 Continuation of Family Themes#

Despicable Me 3 continues the series’ consistent family themes. In this installment, Gru faces an identity crisis: should he persist in being “good” or return to his family’s “villain tradition”?

The film’s answer is clear: true family members support and understand each other. Dru ultimately understands Gru’s decision to be good, and Gru accepts Dru as his brother. This family value of “seeking common ground while reserving differences” is the warmest core of the film.

📊 Critical Reception#

Despicable Me 3 earned over $1.03 billion globally, making it one of the highest-grossing films in the series. The film received a 6.5 rating on IMDb and 59% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics felt the film maintained the series’ standards in visuals and comedic elements, but the storyline was somewhat scattered, trying to simultaneously tell the story of Gru’s relationship with his brother, the Minions’ subplot, and the villain’s threat, resulting in less cohesive storytelling.

🔗 Download Links#