Cliff Note Reviews #6

Cliff Note Reviews is an ongoing series where I briefly state my thoughts on recent films I've watched but don't have the desire to create a full review surrounding.  Short and to the point opinions on films that might make decent weekend watchers when you have nothing else to do, films to completely stay away from, and occasionally a few highly recommended films that I simply don't feel need to be given a full review due to already overexposure.

Despicable Me (2010) - Gru (Steve Carrell) plans to become the greatest super villain in the world by shrinking the moon and stealing it.  Only once he becomes guardian of three little girls does he notice his priorities begin to change.  Not being a big fan of animation Despicable Me is one of my few exceptions, it's got heart, comedy and best of all it's got Minion's!  I love a film that has a pack of gimmicky supporting characters (it's the reason I love Return of the Jedi because of those lovable Ewoks) and the Minion's are about as gimmicky as they come.  8/10

Due Date (2010) - Peter Highmen (Robert Downey Jr.) is trying to get home to his wife, played by Michelle Monaghan,  whose about to give birth to their first child.  Only a constant run in with annoying wannabe actor Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) proves to be Peter's road block to getting home safely and on time.  Due Date is a modern day re-molding of Planes, Trains & Automobiles with Steve Martin and John Candy and only slightly less annoying.  I've never been a fan of Galifianakis and I doubt I ever will (he's definitely no John Candy), though both he and Downey are pretty well cast in their prospective roles.  Still the laughs are few and far between and the film is shot in a rather odd style that gives it a direct-to-DVD feel.  Still it's slightly less repetitive than it's mentor and the funny little dog is an added bonus. 6/10

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) - Neal Page (Steve Martin) is trying to get home to his family for Thanksgiving yet everything seems to be against him and the root of most of his misfortune is shower curtain-ring salesmen Del Griffith (John Candy).  With a great comedy duo, Planes, Trains & Automobiles works for a while until the unending repetitive physical hijinxs that Candy causes Martin begins to grow extremely tiresome.  This film has more heart than it's modern day reproduction Due Date, but the comedy simply grows stale rather quickly. 5/10