This wonderfully inventive animated yarn tells the story of ruthless baddie Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), who finds his position as the world's greatest villain threatened by up-and-coming youngster Vector (Jason Segel). To re-establish himself as top dog, Gru and his boffin sidekick Dr Nefario (Russell Brand) hatch a plot to steal the moon. Gru adopts a trio of young sisters from the local orphanage to help him infiltrate Vector's lair and purloin his shrink-gun gizmo to accomplish his evil plan. But a growing bond with the orphans threatens to soften Gru's resolve. The ingenious gadgetry and retro-futurist design is reminiscent of Pixar's The Incredibles and, in common with several of that studio's films, Despicable Me also boasts a well-crafted sub-plot about the importance of family. The film is constantly laugh-out-loud funny, and the voice cast (which also includes Julie Andrews as Gru's disapproving mother) is exemplary. And prepare to fall head-over-heels in love with the impossibly cute "minions", Gru's diminutive yellow helpers.

Villainous Gru lives up to his reputation as a despicable, deplorable and downright unlikable guy when he hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care.