Despicable Me 3 vs. Cars 3-What should the family see?

Despicable Me 3 and Cars 3 are out within two weeks of each other. They both target the same audience, those families that want a good film to take the kids to when summer requires a break or just 90 minutes inside the air conditioning with the smell of popcorn everywhere. Both films are entertaining, but there are differences that might influence how you decide to spend your precious movie theater dollars.

In this corner, Cars 3, the G-rated juggernaut from Walt Disney that is one of the most popular franchises in the world. Children love these characters; have birthday parties after them and their parents purchases million of dollars in Cars merchandise. As a film Cars 3 returns to the quality roots of the franchise. Forget the silly spy escapades of Cars 2 because with Cars 3 it’s back to the track with an aging Lightning McQueen.

Newer, faster race cars are on the track and that’s a bad coincidence when he has a bad accident on the track. From here it’s an 80’s training montage, a la, Rocky 3 as he goes old school to train on a remote track in North Carolina. The film still manages to pack a nice (and big!) surprise for audiences-and no, it’s not that a character dies as our niece incorrectly guessed.

In this corner, Despicable Me 3, a PG rated romp with fart jokes and yellow headed Minions everywhere. Children love these characters, have birthday parties after them and their parents purchase millions of dollars in Minions merchandise. As a film, Despicable Me 3 is less focused, manic and akin to a child who need Ritalin-hasn’t taken it, but is still ridiculously entertaining.

It turns out Gru is fired, an 80’s television kid star plots world domination, the Minions go to jail and Gru’s twin brother is set up to be the next villain. For adults it’s a confusing mess of a plot that was easy to follow, provided lots of laughs and had a fabulous soundtrack. However, our 7 and 5 year old laughed all the way through it, were wanting toys that the Balthazar Bratt (the 80’s kid) had and requested any cereal boxes that had a Minion on it.

By contrast, our 5 year old wanted a Cars lunchbox for the upcoming school year. If merchandising was the sole indicator then Despicable Me 3 would be the clear winner.

As a parent, if you’re concerned about content the Cars 3 is your vehicle. It’s rated G, has no bad humor or rude situations. Despicable Me 3 is a mild PG, with some rude situations and mild action.

As a production, cost to revenue analysis, Despicable Me 3 is easily the winner. It cost less, has already earned back its production and marketing expenses and has done this in its first weekend, two weeks after Cars 3 was released.

Cars 3 is a prettier film (and the video game that goes along with the film is fabulous), but Despicable Me 3 is more fun. They’re both entertaining, it just depends on what ‘kind’ of entertainment-and how young your audience is as to which film is best for you. Default rule: if you’re on the fence and your kids are 7 then go to Despicable Me 3. If your kids are 6 or younger then go see Cars 3.