Despicable Me 2 was finally released on Blu-ray and DVD last week and it is setting records for home video sales! My family and I have been watching in between holiday classics so much, that I think it will now be added to that mix. Of course we saw it in the theater, but there is just so much additional content that it certainly makes this a must have for any fans of the original.
I am not going to review the movie in this post, if you would like to read a spoiler free review, please visit: 9 Things Parents Should Know About Despicable Me 2 by fellow GeekDad Matt Blum. Instead, I want to talk about the Home Video release and let you know about a huge giveaway that Universal Studios Home Entertainment is allowing us to have!
The biggest addition to the Blu-ray, DVD + Digital Copy Combo Pack version of Despicable Me 2 has got to be the three all-new mini-movies starring the Minions! They are about as long as a classic cartoon short, but much funnier — especially if you cracked up through the end credits of either of the movies. They are each introduced by Steve Carrell as Gru and contain many of the movie’s cast and of course, Minions.
After watching those, you can take a video trip to Illumination Entertainment in Paris and Los Angeles to find out the secrets of the Minions’ creators and learn all about the creative process that went into creating the movie and the mini-movies. There are also vignettes on the main cast including creating Gru, El Macho and the kids, with interviews of Steve Carrell, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Elsie Kate Fisher and Dana Gaier. Finally, watch the movie again with feature commentary from Directors Chris Renaud & Pierre Coffin.
In preparing for this article, I had a chance to talk briefly with two of the stars of the film, Moises Arias and Dana Gaier. Moises voices the sauve son of El Macho, Antonio, and Dana voices the lovable middle child, Edith.
Tony Sims: Did they tell you to portray someone else in your voice work? Or are you just being you?
Moises Arias: My parents are Columbian, so I have grown up imitating their accents. I used what I knew and they liked how it sounded. It was very natural.
Dana Gaier: Well they told me about my character. I knew she was mischievous and a tomboy-type, but I didn’t change my voice at all. They chose me to voice Edith because they thought my raspy voice fit the character. When I’m acting the part, it’s me speaking in my voice (maybe raising it a little higher so I sound a little younger) and I say the lines the way I know Edith would say them. She’s a little bit of a trouble-maker and she’s spunky, so I try to put that into my voice acting.
TS: Did you get a chance to mingle with any of your co-stars during the production?
MO: We did not get to work with anyone else in the sound booth. In fact, we recorded all of our sessions alone with the directors via Skype. The directors are in Paris, so with technology today, we can record from anywhere. I did not get a chance to meet any of the other actors until the premeire. There we all met and had a great time.
DG: I have had spent some great moments with my co-stars at screenings, premieres and parties. Miranda & Elsie are so great. I’ve probably spent the most time with them because when The Minion Mayhem ride opened up at Universal Orlando (and our voices are a big part of the ride), we got to go to the grand opening and ride it a lot of times. That was so much fun. Steve Carell is an awesome guy. When we were on the yellow carpet at the first Despicable Me premiere, he stopped the paparazzi from taking pictures, just so he could come over and say, “Finally! I finally get to meet you.” That was great. And I love Ken Jeong, who played Floyd in the movie. He is the best. We spent a lot of time talking at events and I met his family. He’s just as funny in person, and he is so good to his fans. He takes his time to talk to them all and asks each of them their names while he is talking to them. Kristin Wiig (Lucy) and Benjamin Bratt (El Macho) are really great too. Honestly, everyone in the cast is so nice and they were all so supportive.
TS: What is your favorite moment in Despicable Me 2?
MA: My favorite part with Antonio, is when we first meet him at the fountain. It is very comedic and we get to see how cool and low key he is. I also really enjoyed seeing the car turn into a submarine. I just love that creativity and innovation.
DG: My favorite moment in Despicable Me is when Edith is playing ping pong with nunchucks and the ball hits her in the head and she doesn’t even flinch. I think that is pretty funny and typical for the kind of kid she is. I love the part in the movie when Gru is happy because of his situation with Lucy and Pharrell’s song “Happy” is playing in the background, and he’s just doing all these nice things for people. I think the song really sets the mood.
TS: What is next for you?
MA: Deciding on the next project now. I have been working on directing, currently on music videos.
DG: I just moved out to LA and have been auditioning out here and it’s been going really well. I was originally from the NY area, and there are just more opportunities here for me. I would love to do some work on-camera. I also sing, play guitar and write music, and I’m in my school choir so that has been great. Of course, I’m hoping there’s a Despicable Me 3 that I get to be involved in too!
TS: Being the holiday season, what is on your wish list?
MA: I am still working on that. I will have to get back to you.
DG: I LOVE the minions. I have a few at home (both yellow & purple), but I heard they came out with a talking one, and I think that’s so cute. I would also love an acoustic-electric guitar.
OK – Now for the giveaway information. Illumination Entertainment will send to the randomly drawn winners (US & Canada only).
A Grand Prize Despicable Me 2 Giveaway Pack which includes:
1 Blu-ray Combo pack of Despicable Me 2
1 DM2 Fart gun
1 Dave plush
1 Stuart plush
1 DM2 umbrella
1 DM2 beanie
1 DM2 pen
1 sheet of DM2 stickers
And we will randomly draw for TWO Despicable Me 2 Prize Packs to be given away! Each pack includes:
1 Blu-ray Combo pack of Despicable Me 2
1 Dave plush
1 Stuart plush
1 DM2 umbrella
1 DM2 beanie
1 DM2 pen
1 sheet of DM2 stickers
To enter, fill out the form below before Friday, December 27th, midnight CST. Winners will be notified by Monday, December 30th, using the information provided in the entry form.
Problem with the embedded form? Try a direct link.
Giveaway rules:
Open to US residents only.
One entry per physical address.
Must be 18 or older to enter.
Winners will be chosen by random from all valid entries.
Winners will be notified via the email addresses supplied at time of entry.
Prizes are supplied by 3rd parties, and GeekDad.com cannot be held liable for items damaged or lost in shipping.
Thank You!
Is it US, or US and Canada? Right before the prize description it says US & Canada, but in the rules it says US only.
Thanks! Love Despicable Me, especially the minions! BANANA~! lol