To write a critical analysis of the Despicable Me series would be like taking candy from a kid.

Despicable Me is a franchise that only focuses on fun and cuteness; on maintaining a positive outlook on life.

For example, take a look at the main character, Gru (Steve Carell), a former villain who has renounced his villainy ways for the sake of a better life with his adopted kids and his wife, Lucy (Kristen Wiig). 

Despicable Me 3 expands on this narrative even more so, with Lucy going through the trials of motherhood by trying to connect with her three little girls, and Gru carrying out a relatively villainous act only for the sake of getting his job back to make ends meet for his family.

The conflict of the story is simple. To start, Gru finds out he has a twin brother, Dru (Carell), a more flamboyant version of our main character.

Dru, is fiercely loyal to him, without the complexities of possible betrayal that tends to happen in films to create tension.

Even the final battle against 1980s-obsessed former child star villain Bratt (appropriately voiced by South Park genius Trey Parker) is simple and to the point.

There is no death in this film. No sadness.

It is a vapid film, sure, but Despicable Me is made only to entertain, without any emphasis on creating inspiration or a demonstration of its creators’ creativity; it is incredibly unpretentious.

Can adults enjoy it? Mildly. Do the children enjoy it? Very much so.

The film itself is so sweet that even the bright colors used to display its universe are toned so way up, it makes Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory seem pale in comparison. Adults might be at risk of contracting mild diabetes by just watching the movie and hearing the cheerful voices that come out of the characters.

But what is to love about Despicable Me, is that it is a film that never tries to take itself seriously. Sure, there might be rather serious moments here and there, but it treats these situations in a fun, quickly-resolved and child-friendly way.

Another positive from the film is the focus on its underlying story and the idea of an ex-villain, his family and his adorable, yet annoying Minions. This is what many children’s films — animated or live action — tend to miss entirely.

Speaking of which, let’s just get to the part about Despicable Me that matters: the Minions. Yes, these little, yellow blabbermouths steal the spotlight in every scene they are in, and they play their cuteness to the maximum level.

Catering to children, teens, millennials and middle-aged Facebook-active mothers everywhere, they are a cute, loudmouthed force that refuse to disappear, especially with entire marketing campaigns plastering their goggled, yellow faces on literally every single consumer product.

There is a scene in the film that shows them singing their gibberish on an X-Factor-type talent show. After their “cute” performance, the audience applauds hysterically, while security guards surround them to arrest the creatures for barging onto the set.

It is a perfect metaphor for the global response of the Minions: the millions of adoring fans and the group that wants them to go away.

Despicable Me’s second most popular star, the unicorn obsessed Agnes (Nev Scharrel), gets her own side-story, in which she hopes snatch herself her own living unicorn.

The story is as sweet and tear-free as any adult would expect it to be. Everybody in this film deserves their happy ending, which makes it very clear that you will not see the last of Gru, Dru or the Minions anytime soon.

You will either be waiting for their next adventure or just ignore them completely.

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Despicable Me 3

(Universal Pictures; 90 minutes)

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda

Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Jenny Slate, Dana Gaier, Julie Andrews