I love how Mark has an essay or an issue to talk about, that just happens to contain a movie review in it. He sees the forest for the trees.

It's not original at all I'll grant Mark that, I don't care one bit about the 3D discussion. This was still a great film, the story and the characters were very enjoyable and had great charm. It also had lots of silly, adorable yet genuinely funny moments throughout. Overall it was a very positive and happy story about family, that avoided being too cheesy or sickly. That in itself is always a great achievement. Can't agree with Mark on this one, really enjoyed it.

Funny how in 2022 Mark has grown up and actually enjoys the Minions…..

Finally got round to watching this, it was really sweet, surprised me a lot. It’s nothing like the vacuous surface stuff you get in stuff like Hotel Transylvania

I loved this. So funny, very witty, tons of laughs. The most impressive part is that, considering that I'm not a 3D fan, the 3D was actually terrific. They took full advantage of it and made tons of fun gags that entertained the then-14-year-old me, now 16. The thing is, did anyone expect anything new? It's not the subject matter, it's how they go about it and what they make out of it.

Did Mark actually review the film or his views on 3D? I don’t cate what anyone says about this film as my own opinion is more important and I just loved it

And like a rash, B-cup returns.

It could be argued that Boo from Monsters Inc is exactly that. The parentless character who melts the heart(s) of literal Monsters who have to then take care of her.

@comedystylings couldn't agree more. I was surprised at just how lazy a film 'Despicable Me' actually was.

@Bthackrey he does have kids.

It's still a pretty decent movie. I'm surprised that Kermode didn't get around the fact that its in 3d to come to the conclusion that you'll chuckle through the movie. He can give Twilight a pass but decides to break out the executioner's axe on this?

@SpeedFreakNO I think that the clear message here, is that only event movies really benefit from 3d. Basically, 3d remains what it always has been a gimmick appropriate to only a few select films. Jackass 3d for instance.

I'm with Jim on this one. DM is a great film and so is Monsters, but when it comes to the kids, DM wins hands down and has proven over time in my household to be the more popular choice. Monster University sucks bigtime though.

I liked it. It may not be original but it was funny and the kids loved it. I think Mark may have been in a bad mood that day.

I saw Avatar in 3D then I saw Clash of the Titans in 3D. I haven't seen a film in 3D since then. :)

I agree with all but the feelings towards DM. Can't comment on Brave however. Didn't see it as it didn't take my fancy.

I liked it. Much to my surprise.

A good bit of fun. It could have been worse e.g. yogi bear.

sorry but does mark kermode have kids?? probably not . the whole cinema was silent appart from the laughter . no " daddy whos that , why is he doing that " not a peep out the little tikes . i enjoyed it very much and i am 33 . the space scene in 3d and rollercoaster part was awesome .. grumpy mark

I personally see more of the kids I know in the two younger ones from DM. So that is validation. Trade be damned. And I've been a children's illustrator for 10 years. I've drawn them, talked with them and written them. But that doesn't mean Boo is any more legitimate that the DM kids. But in regards to the film, the fact that they're orphans has more to do with a plot point than a sob story. Gru is able to use them in a way he could not if they had parents.

I've plenty of friends who are doing fine in animation. Illustrators aren't swimming in anything. It's not the job. I'm just receptive. That's how I get by. I'm open to all ideas and don't feel hard done to. I work hard and have never had an easy ride or been given chances on a platter. I just don't see everything and everyone as an enemy.

Disney are great. Technically. But I have heard some horror stories. That's where smaller films like Aardman and Laika come in, I suppose.

....riiight.

No loss. Trust me. Eastwood doesn't have a name, barely says a word and has no character arch in the movie. He's a silent cypher. But as you say, they're driven by "actions". Not characters. That's kinda the point I was making.

i agree the movie wasn't very original at all and i thought it would have something more for the adult audience like cloudy and a chance of meatballs

Nope. Just the defensiveness is down to being a student. Defensiveness about a lack of overall knowledge. You're still learning. I'm not middle aged, though. I'm 31. I'm still learning too.

It's not my "loss" at all. I've gained from this movie. Trust me. You may not like it but that's your own taste. The argument that plot cannot drive drama is absolutely false. There are many stories and movies that use barely fleshed out characters, practical cyphers, to drive story. The Eastwood / Leone trilogy for a start. DM is a comedy. It never claimed to be entirely original. Not a lot is these days. But I, and many others, still like the movie. It's not a case of right and wrong.

Thought you were genuinely going to stop.

Yeah, okay.

You're training? Ah. That explains a the defensiveness. Student attitudes. I was one once. I remember it well.

I couldn't understand what you were saying because you didn't explain yourself clearly. I did find the film to be hilarious. So did everyone else in the screening. Or so the laughter would seem to indicate. I remember the movie very well. I've seen it several times and find it just as rewarding. You didn't have to sit through it. You could have walked out. I care a lot. As I say, I'm an Illustrator. These films offer no resistance to your own work. Only you can do that. I've never struggled.

I really enjoyed this film, very funny. Not as good as Toy Story 3 though

There really is not talking with you, eh? It's such a shame. It would have been nice to have a civil conversation.

I'm not telling you. I'm putting forward another perspective. There's no need to pick a fight. Although being an animator means nothing. I'm an Illustrator, work with children all over the country in class visits and come from a large family with loads of kids. But it's only when you have your own that you can see when they are truly depicted on screen or not. Boo was on a par with the DM kids. Nothing more. All screen kids, and adults, are story based contrivances.

Just like all the the other animators with attitude and "integrity" (re bloated sense of ego). Pop down to your local McDonalds or CoOp and meet them. I knew several guys who came across like you in the animation dept at uni. And they were fairly talented guys. One lives off his missus and works at PC World. One worked for a small design firm but couldn't hack it. One is now a teaching assistant at a small primary school and the other works on produce at Asda.

I never said it was. Reread the whole conversation. That was the point I've been trying to make. How can you expect to tell a story if you can't read or listen? This is a waste of my time. Good luck. Have fun on your course.

In you own mind, at least.

Sorry for the late response. You bored me to sleep.

I'm not fed anything. I chose to see it. And that is your main issue here. You blame the success of others for the lack of success elsewhere because you don't personally like it. Do your own thing. If it's any good, people will go for it. But it's not some conspiracy by the makers of DM to do others out of business. I also went to see Paranorman. It was great. It's a very different movie though. One is a comedy, the other a melancholic drama. The only thing they have in common is animation.

I don't know what you're talking about here, sorry. I'm not rowing with you. Just putting forward a different perspective.

I'm sure I understand Pixar as much as you do. I've seen the same dvd extras and tv specials. Unless you work for Pixar I can't see how you'd be any more of an expert on their working practice. What i got from the interviews etc is they used the voice of a blonde bob-haired toddler of someone who worked for Pixar and created a very animated brunette bunched toddler. Toddler's don't have that much character. they haven't developed enough yet. They just eat, shit, cry and run about. Ha ha.

I can't agree with that at all. It's easy to make a toddler who has no speech other than the odd garbled word, feel natural, specially if that's who's doing her voice. The makers of Monsters Inc took bits and pieces that the actual toddler and fashioned them into whatever they wanted to achieve. That's about as manufactured and forced as you can get. And there's nothing obnoxious about the DM kids. Trust me, that's how girls of that age actually are. Specially the younger two.

I think you're being blinded by your obvious love of Pixar. Boo isn't based upon an actual child. Just her voice. I think you're taking this as a personal attack on yourself though. Which it isn't. We're just having a dialogue.

Subjective. "Son". Your opinion is not fact.

And there you go again. My credentials are on the internet if you want to dispute them. I've won story telling awards over the years and have released several successful books with publishers from Random House to OUP, so I can't be all that bad. I'm going to leave now and wish you good luck. Because trust me, with your attitude you are really going to need it.

And yet you're trying to insult my own knowledge. I lack no understanding. You just cannot grasp the idea that other's situations and ideas may differ from your own. I've not come into this to insult you, yet you keep trying to do so to me. I don't think this conversation is going to be able to carry on in a civil or constructive way so I'll end it here. I'm sorry you can't just accept that I like this movie. I really do. And the sequel was great too.

No. Your ego made that necessary. As i said previously, I just wanted to engage in conversation but you chose not to for some reason. Reactionary plots can come into existence for any number of reasons. A falling tree hitting a powerline which blacks out a road sign causing a car to crash off a cliff. Cause, action and reaction. No characters. Right. I'm off.

cmon mark, seriously this movie was 300 times beta than I dream it could ever be. it is cute, funny, and warm

I completely disagree with Kermode on this one. I personally think Despicable Me is hilarious. Yeah, it's not original, because it's a pastiche on existing films. He points out that Gru is Doctor Evil, but doesn't point out that Doctor Evil is Blofeld. Double standards, Mr Kermode.

My lack on interest is showing.

Again, no need to try to get personal. There's nothing pedantic in standing by your own opinion. You won't change my mind. You cannot argue someone into not liking something. That is your lack of understanding showing. Please don't treat me like some idiot who knows nothing of story telling. I've been doing it for years, quite successfully.

haha, wot have u ever done?

@jessewilliams7661

4 жыл бұрын

Only become one of UKs top, and most insightful film critics.

The actions come from situation. Not always character. It's called a reactionary plot. You are not the be-all-end-all of story telling. You're failing to grasp a whole style of drama here. Really no need to be rude. I'm going to end the conversation now. You can't be civil so it's really not worth my time.

I just made a comment. Your ego took over from there.

Hilarious. Yawn. Bored.

poor analysis , garbage talking non-sense , it was a great movie .

this film is so bad it hurts