In "Despicable Me," a witty 3D computer-animated fairy tale, Steve Carell does wonderful work as the voice of a supervillain whose plan to steal the moon is undermined by sudden, paternal feelings for three adopted kids.
Talk about timing.
While we’re all still taking in the extraordinary story of real-life Russian spies living under our noses (including in Seattle) as American suburbanites, along comes “Despicable Me.” The story of a Russian-accented supervillain barely disguised as a member of a roses-and-picket-fences community, this witty, absurdist, 3D computer-animated fairy tale brings with it some unintended, ironic cachet.
Not that kids will care. “Despicable Me” is, for them, a sweet-and-sour mash of influences from “Silas Marner,” Looney Tunes and almost anything by Roald Dahl (“Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” came to mind a few times).
That Russian accent comes courtesy of Steve Carell, whose vocal performance as lead character Gru — a thief of Goldfinger-like imagination who secretly possesses the heart of an unloved child — masterfully blends the character’s (literally) out-of-this-world hubris and evolving tenderness.
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Living in a weird, black house in an otherwise charming neighborhood (except for the presence of a high-tech compound protected by missiles and occupied by Gru’s enemy — again, think Looney Tunes), Gru sits atop a massive conspiracy to steal nothing less than the moon.
At his disposal are blasters that shoot freeze-rays and shrink-rays, a rocket ship, the flawed genius of an old inventor named Nefario (Russell Brand) and the chattering loyalty of nubby little helpers called minions.
When his lunar-stealing plans require a machine possessed by a nerdy rival, Vector (Jason Segel), Gru adopts three little girls (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher) from a cruel orphanage to help him, albeit unwittingly. The kids want something out of the bargain, however: a home, attention and love. (The oldest of the girls notes that while Gru is as bald as a more famous adoptive father, their story sure isn’t “Annie.”)
Predictably, Gru gradually warms to them. By then, we’ve seen several flashback scenes in which the little boy he once was tried hard, but failed, to get the approval of his mother (Julie Andrews, her voice unrecognizable).
But Gru’s redemption through fatherhood, finally, is less about treacle than a truly enchanting conflict in his priorities: steal the moon or attend the girls’ dance recital. It’s such a funny, fantastic dilemma, like something out of a vintage fable, you have to smile.
Yet, at the same time, you can feel legendary animator Chuck Jones’ fatalistic comedy in the edges of the film’s action. (An extreme long shot of a missile explosion is a nice, Road Runner-like touch.) “Despicable Me” appeals both to our innocence and our glee over cartoon anarchy.
Tom Keogh: tomwkeogh@yahoo.com