‘Despicable 4' tests critics patience: Not 'good enough'

Despite the Despicable franchise's huge popularity, its recent offering fell short of the critics' expectations, as many called it to be a "bore."

Released on July 3, the latest film comes seven years after its predecessor, under the direction of Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage.

Paste Magazine states, "There isn't an ounce of recommendable substance, soulful values or slapstick sincerity within Despicable Me 4."

While A.V. Club pens a harsher review, "Illumination Studios seems to have cracked the code for mainstream blockbuster success, not by being any good, but by being merely 'Good Enough,' noting, "Good Enough is a black hole, of which Despicable Me 4 is the singularity. I, for one, am really, really sick of Good Enough."

Meanwhile, CinemaBlend writes, "All theatrical releases exist to make money, but Despicable Me 4 feels like a film that was given a release date before anybody bothered to come up with a reason to make it."

However, not every critic penned Despicable 4. As Looper says, the author says the film is an “unassailable success."

"Three Stooges-esque physical comedy gags at one another's expense. But the film also finds a fascinating way to answer the question as to why a franchise so built around supervillainy doesn't appear to have any superheroes."