Movies & More reviewer John Gillispie thinks "Despicable Me," rated PG and starring the voice talents of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews, is an amusing animated movie with an emotional punch.

Aren't movie villains fun?

Characters we would dislike in real life are fascinating to watch on the big screen, because we know they aren't real, can't really hurt us, and make things happen in movies.

"Despicable Me," which is playing in 2D and 3D in local theaters, takes us into the home of the villainous Gru (voiced by Steve Carell).

Gru, who brings to mind both Uncle Fester from "The Addams Family" and Dr. Evil from the "Austin Powers" movies, is a bad guy. He has a creepy pet, an evil scientist friend named Dr. Nefario (voiced by Russell Brand) and a mom (voiced by Julie Andrews) whose hobby is insulting and finding fault with her son. Oh, and a bunch of tiny minions to do his bidding.

Since villains don't usually get along well with other villains, Gru has a nemesis in Vector (voiced by Jason Segel), who can be described as a super intelligent nerd in tights. Since both Gru and Vector can't both be the baddest dude around, they have to try to outdo each other.

When Vector steals a pyramid, his crime makes everyone forget about Gru's latest caper. (By the way, look for the pyramid painted to blend in with the sky outside of Vector's lair.)

In order to pull off his plot to steal the moon, Gru must obtain a shrink ray.

When Vector gets his hands on the shrink ray, Gru is amusingly unsuccessful at breaking into Vector's lair to get it. These scenes reminded me of the classic Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons.

Gru decides to adopt three young girls whom he has observed selling cookies to Vector. His plan is to use the girls to help accomplish his evil scheme concerning the moon.

There's just one problem. The three little girls -- Margo, Edith and Agnes -- could not be more adorable and smart. Although they win Gru over, Gru is convinced by Dr. Nefario to return the girls to the orphanage and not to be sidetracked from his goal of stealing the moon.

While the minions mostly provide laughs, they step it up at the movie's most critical moment to save the day.

"Despicable Me" will make you laugh and touch your heart. All the characters are well rounded and interesting. You want to see more adventures with these characters and I wouldn't be surprised to see them on TV or in another movie in the near future.

Also, don't jump up and leave right away during the closing credits because the minions still have more mischief to make.

John Gillispie is the public relations director for the Huntington Museum of Art. Contact the writer at jgillisp@hmoa.org.

The Associated Press

Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, background center, is shown in a scene the 3-D CGI feature ÒDespicable MeÓ about a villain who meets his match in three little girls, foreground from left, Edith, voiced by Dana Gaier, Agnes, voiced by Elsie Fisher, and Margo, voiced by Miranda Cosgrove. ÒDespicable MeÓ is playing locally at the Ashland 10, Huntington Mall 12, Phoenix 10, Pullman 16 and Teays Valley 10. The Pullman and Teays Valley locations offer the film in 3-D.