"Despicable Me 2" is a 2013 animated comedy film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, and it serves as the sequel to the 2010 film "Despicable Me."
The film features the returning voices of Steve Carell as Gru, Kristen Wiig (in a new role), Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, and introduces new characters voiced by Benjamin Bratt and Steve Coogan.
The story picks up with Gru having retired from his life of supervillainy to focus on being a father to his three adopted daughters, Margo, Edith, and Agnes. However, Gru's peaceful new life is disrupted when he is recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL), an organization dedicated to fighting crime, to help capture a new supervillain. Gru teams up with AVL agent Lucy Wilde (voiced by Kristen Wiig) to uncover the identity of the villain behind a scheme involving a stolen laboratory and a dangerous mutagen known as PX-41, which turns harmless creatures into monstrous, aggressive versions of themselves.
As Gru and Lucy work together, they develop a romantic bond, and Gru starts to entertain the possibility of having a more conventional family life. The investigation leads them to Eduardo Pérez, also known as El Macho (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), a former supervillain who faked his death and is now planning to use the mutagen to create an army of evil Minions to take over the world. Gru, with the help of Lucy and his loyal Minions, must thwart El Macho's plan and save the day.
"Despicable Me 2" is praised for its humor, heart, and engaging storyline. The film continues to showcase the endearing relationship between Gru and his daughters while adding new layers to Gru's character development. The dynamic between Gru and Lucy adds a romantic subplot, which is both charming and humorous. The Minions, once again, provide comic relief with their zany antics and playful personalities.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $970 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2013. It received nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("Happy" by Pharrell Williams) at the Academy Awards.
"Despicable Me 2" solidifies the franchise's appeal with its mix of humor, heartwarming moments, and memorable characters, continuing to delight audiences of all ages.