Confirming its reputation as the best current animation film series, Despicable Me 3 builds upon its strong base of colourful visuals and slapstick humour with memorable new characters and a rise in stakes for Gru and his wacky family.

There are certainties in this universe. The sky is blue. Michael Jordan is the GOAT. And the Minions are funny. No matter the screen time, no matter the situation, there is no doubting that the Minions bring the funny in every way possible. In fact, they’re so good one can forget about the other characters in the Despicable Me series. Part 3 reminds that this should not be the case. Under the direction of Pierre Coffin (who has overseen the whole series) the Despicable Me universe is filled with many a memorable character ranging from the fluffy obsessed tot Agnes, to the pointy nosed man himself, supervillain turned super-agent Gru.

Despicable Me 3 begins with Gru (Steve Carell) in hot pursuit of 80s celeb brat turned bitter super villain Balthazar Bratt (think Steve Erkel meets Denis the Menace, voiced by Trey Parker). When Bratt escapes, Gru and his fellow super-agent wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are fired. Quickly their uncertain future is given hope by the emergence of Gru’s long lost twin brother Drew (again Carell), who is rich, handsome, cheerful, and keen to learn the art of villainy. Instead Gru uses Drew’s resources to get even with Bratt.

Four films into the Despicable Me movies (if you count spin-off Minions) and a consistency has been established that has yet to wane in quality. With its combination of Pixar’s heart, Looney Toon’s zany spirit, and strong characters to build upon with every new chapter, Despicable Me 3 just might be the best of the bunch yet.

That it is also a film that (shock horror) can appeal to kids, without doing the recent animation trend of getting dark and moody also works in its favour. Under Coffin’s direction (here sharing directing duties with Kyle Balda and Eric Guillon), Despicable Me 3 shows that stakes can indeed be upped without surrendering a strong sense of adventure or light-hearted mood.

The decision in having a villain who performs his criminal schemes to an 80s soundtrack, that includes Michael Jackson and Van Halen, is a stroke of toe-tapping genius. Great too is the continued family dynamic. These are characters who feel for one another and are willing to go that extra mile to protect one another. The addition of a long-lost brother, although genetic in narrative, actually adds a dynamic to Gru who continues to grow with every movie. Then there are the Minions, who of course steal the show with sequences that will have both kids and adults in hysterics.

Sequels are difficult to pull off. Threequels especially so. Yet Despicable Me 3 succeeds in doing so to the joy of its fans and families looking for a fun time at the movies.