I'm that person who still laughs out loud whenever the Minions go chaotic, and for me the big bad in 'Despicable Me 2' is Eduardo Pérez — better known as El Macho. He’s introduced as this larger-than-life, macho Mexican wrestler/supervillain who was supposedly eaten by a volcano years earlier. The twist is that he faked his death and reappears with a grudge and a monstrous plan. His signature move in the movie is the PX-41 serum: a substance that turns cute little Minions into purple, indestructible, rabid versions of themselves. Watching the Minions flip from adorable chaos to full-on menace is equal parts hilarious and eerie, and that contrast is what makes El Macho so effective as a villain.
I saw 'Despicable Me 2' first at a weekend matinee with friends, and the crowd reaction when El Macho revealed himself was priceless — people cheered and groaned at the same time. He’s not a villain with deep philosophy or a tragic monologue; he’s colorful, theatrical, and obsessed with being feared and famous. But the movie uses him to great comedic effect and to push Gru’s arc: Gru’s confronting threats bigger than his old life while slowly becoming a better guy and father figure. If you want a fun watch, keep an eye on the little clues about El Macho’s supposed demise — the movie sprinkles them in like candy between the jokes.