I - Simply Incorrigible (3D)

Just when it seemed like there were really enough animated films for the moment, whether in conventional version or in 3D, along comes a wonderful film that shows that even over stale waters here and there can still blow a real breath of fresh air. "I - Simply Incorrigible" without question has what it takes to be the best animated film of the year. And that's saying something with the oversaturation of the last months.

Gru has a big dream: he wants to become the best villain the world has ever seen. Too bad no one really trusts him to do that. Neither his mother, nor the Bank of Evil, whose financial support Gru desperately needs, believe that he can still succeed in the very big coup. But Gru has the perfect plan: he wants to steal the moon with the help of a secret shrink ray. But no sooner is the device in his possession than it is stolen from him by the up-and-coming crook Vector. But Gru is not so easily dissuaded from his plan. With the help of the three orphan girls Margo, Edith and Agnes he wants to steal the shrink ray from Vector again. But to do so, he must first play adoptive father to the three girls - and that has unexpected consequences for the villain...

"I - Simply Incorrigible" is quite a wonderful film. The strong European influence is evident in both the script and the animation. In addition, the film actually does everything just right: it's funny, touching but never cheesy, full of original ideas, and entertains kids just as well as adults. There are the obvious gags, all of which work great. And there's more subtle, not-so-obvious humor that will appeal especially to adult audiences.

Lovely, ever-surprising ideas lift this work far above the average. The secret stars of the film are Gru's little yellow helpers, the Minions, for whom a wonderfully quirky art language has been developed by directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. The Minions provide so many great laughs that it's almost impossible to spot all their hilarious goings-on on first viewing, as there are often some very nice and funny things going on in the background as well. During his visit at the eDIT in Frankfurt, Pierre Coffin, who also voiced many of the Minions himself, revealed that three new short films featuring the Minions were produced especially for the DVD and Blu-Ray release of the film. So one can actually only speak of luck for the film and the viewers that the makers have said goodbye to the original designs, which Coffin also presented during his visit, and have decided this simpler, but much more appealing and especially funnier variant of the Minions.

But also the other characters are absolutely worth seeing and lovable. Especially little Agnes and her fondness for fluffy cuddly toys makes your heart swell again and again. The fact that the makers managed to make the three girls adorable and sweet, but not too overly cute, is another stroke of luck for the film. Because of that, especially the more emotional moments are never cheesy, but just beautiful. For example, when one of the Minions is stealthily happy to have received a little kiss from Agnes, it is simply heartwarming and cute - but just not too saccharine.

The German dubbing can definitely be called successful. Although neither Oliver Rohrbeck can match the genius of Steve Carell and his interpretation of Gru, nor can the somewhat annoying nasal voice of Jan Delay hold a candle to the original Vector voiced by Jason Segel ("How I met your mother"). But overall, the makers of the dub have succeeded very well in translating the wit and charm of the original version into German.

Whether in the conventional 2D version, or in 3D, the effect of which is exploited by the Minions especially during the end credits, "I - Simply Incorrigible" is a wonderful movie treat with so many good laughs and enchanting moments that the film works just fine even if you watch it several times. Just seeing Agnes get excited about her new fluffy unicorn or seeing the Minions get excited about Gru's plan to steal the moon makes going to the movies worthwhile. Therefore: definitely watch it!!!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp