Despicable Me

Some actors do a great Russian accent that fills the character with mystery, sexiness and intimidation.

Others sound like Ivan Drago promising that he "must break you."

Sign Steve Carell up for a Rocky sequel.

In this animated film (also available in 3D, like everything else these days. I can't wait for the first 3D documentary!), Carell provides the voice for Gru - an internationally known criminal mastermind who has an inexplicable Russian accent, and finds himself starting to be surpassed by a mysterious new criminal mastermind, Vector (Jason Segel). To top his new nemesis, Gru has decided to shrink the moon and take it hostage.

However, to accomplish his nefarious goal, Gru must find a way to invade Vector's compound and steal back his shrink ray gun. As part of his plan (which is too overly complicated to get into here), Gru adopts three orphan girls, who start to melt his cold, calculating heart.

Will Gru be able to go through with his plan?

Can he reign supreme as the master criminal of his day?

Is he ready to be a Dad?

If they got rid of Gru, Despicable Me could have been a much better movie. You often don't find yourself trying to dispose of the lead character in a film, but Despicable Me would have been ten times better if we got to focus on the yellow minions and the three cute and adorable orphans.

Maybe the entire movie is some sort of fool's gambit. On the one hand, Gru is supposed to be evil and frightening, so you have to show him engaging in despicable acts (which make him a bad guy).

Yet, on the other hand, you can't make him too frightening and evil or your kids will be scared into screaming, crying fits that will make you everyone's favorite moviegoer. Sadly, the compromises made to walk that tightrope lead to both outcomes.

At times, you have to wonder how much evil is in the evil mastermind given the goofiness and lack of ability occurring in front of you. He's about as evil as a golden lab puppy.

Then, we have sequences where Gru is not delightful enough or charming enough to make us root for his upcoming transformation into doting Dad. This unevenness leaves us with a movie that doesn't quite gel, especially since Gru doesn't have a completely smooth transition from bad to good, and, to be honest with you, I had trouble staying awake.

Not all hope is lost. Directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, with help from the animation team, make it possible for the omnipresent minions you have seen in every commercial and marketing opportunity to steal the show. Much like The Three Stooges or The Marx Brothers, they constantly are engaged in some sort of slapstick mischief bound to make you giggle, so keep your eyes open for them, even if they are in the background or seem to be inconsequential to a scene.

Plus, you have to be dead or as evil as a ranting, raving Mel Gibson not to love those cute little orphans. Actresses Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher give new meaning to the word, "adorable." They give natural charming performances full of childish glee, sadness and adventure, while their facial features perfectly capture every emotion. It's a perfect match of animation and acting talent.

Maybe Steve Carell needs to rethink that decision to leave The Office.

Despicable Me is rated PG for rude humor and mild action.