Vector from Despicable Me: The Hilarious, Endearing Villain-Turned-Hero

Vector's Origins and Background

Vector first appeared in the 2010 animated film Despicable Me as the main antagonist. His full name is Victor Perkins and he is portrayed as a young, ambitious, and eccentric villain obsessed with stealing the Great Pyramid of Giza. Despite his extravagant wealth and resources, Vector is still seen as an underdog compared to seasoned villains like Gru.

As a child, Vector was a nerdy outcast who was bullied and ignored. This led him to dedicate his life to becoming a great supervillain capable of getting revenge against the world. He found success through his reputable company, Vector Industries, which specializes in aquatic animals and marine life. Vector uses this company as a cover for his true villainous desires.

Vector's trademark appearance includes a bright orange tracksuit, gelled spiky hair, and large glasses. He surrounds himself with sea life decor and shark tanks as homage to his maritime business interests. His weapon of choice is the Piranha Gun, which shoots out small piranha that bite and gnash. He also utilizes his extensive gadgetry skills to build powerful technology and robots.

Vector's Role as the Villain in Despicable Me

In the first Despicable Me film, Vector serves as the primary rival to Gru. He makes headlines when he steals the Great Pyramid of Giza using a giant magnet zeppelin. This prompts Gru to attempt an even bigger heist - stealing the moon - in order to upstage Vector.

Vector also poses a threat to Gru on the homefront when he sends Gru's adopted daughters birthday gifts and invites them over to his elaborate fortress. Vector hopes to charm the girls with his geeky gadgets and flashy lifestyle in order to steal Gru's research on how to shrink the moon.

The two villains have an escalating rivalry throughout the film, with Vector often annoying Gru with his loud music, rude gestures, and overall arrogance. Their feud culminates in a showdown on Vector's ship as Gru and his minions attempt to save his kidnapped daughters and steal back the shrunken moon.

Key Vector Moments

Some of Vector's most memorable scenes in Despicable Me include:

• Breakdancing wildly after stealing the Great Pyramid
• Showing off his villainous gadgets like "Piranha Guns" and aquatic lair
• Calling Gru "Old Man" and miming being elderly to taunt him
• Using Gru's girls to gain the shrink ray then rejecting them
• Dancing frantically to loud rave music in his Japanese-inspired fortress

Vector's Shift to Hero in Later Films

In Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me 3, Vector shockingly turns over a new leaf and shifts from villain to hero.

In the sequel, he is stranded on the moon after the events of the first film wearing a makeshift spacesuit made of his orange track jacket. Gru reluctantly rescues him while discovering information about a new villain. Though still eccentric, Vector seems to have reformed and expresses appreciation to Gru and the girls for saving him.

By Despicable Me 3, Vector has fully assimilated into a law-abiding role under the new Anti-Villain League established by Gru and Lucy. He uses his technical expertise to create useful gadgets for the AVL agents and wears a teal jumpsuit instead of orange. He also displays more humility and self-awareness compared to his arrogant old ways.

Vector credits the AVL for helping him find purpose. He forms an unlikely friendship with the family he once tried to thwart, aiding Gru in his mission to stop Balthazar Bratt. Audiences enjoy Vector's transition to quirky hero which adds dimensionality to his character.

Highlights of Vector as a Hero

• Helps lead the AVL fleet to rescue Gru's kidnapped family
• Hacks into Bratt's systems and reveals his evil plans to Gru
• Apologizes to Margo for his past wrongdoings against their family
• Uses his gadgets for good like super bubble gum to stop Bratt
• Celebrates with the family in the end as a guest at Lucy's wedding

Why Fans Love Vector

There are many reasons Vector became a beloved figure among Despicable Me fans both as a villain and hero including:

His Unique Personality and Sense of Humor

Vector's excitable, offbeat personality makes him a charmingly funny character. His excessive dancing, one-liners, over-the-top reactions, and awkward flair give him comedic appeal. Scenes with Vector tend to be energetic and humorous.

His Underdog Appeal

Though he comes from wealth, Vector is depicted as a nerdy misfit striving for glory in the shadow of more established villains. Many fans relate to his underdog status and find his perseverance in the face of ridicule endearing.

Redemption Arc

Vector's path to reforming and finding his place on the good side is an uplifting, feel-good storyline. It brings more depth to his character and conveys positive messages about change being possible.

Impressive Technical Skills

As an ingenious inventor and scientist, Vector produces many imaginative contraptions and futuristic gadgets that fans enjoy seeing in action.

Memorable Design and Catchphrases

From his spiky orange hair to his "Oh Yeah!" shouts, Vector's signature look and repeated phrases helped cement him as an iconic character. He is easily recognizable even in silhouette.

Overall, Vector appeals to Despicable Me fans across generations thanks to his humor, charisma, unpredictable story arc, fun gadgets, and lasting impression. His journey from nerdy villain to reformed outcast turned hero makes him one of the most developmentally rich characters in the franchise.

Vector's Enduring Pop Culture Influence and Legacy

Despite starting out as an eccentric bad guy, Vector carved out a place in the cultural zeitgeist and continues to be referenced in pop culture today.

He is featured in merchandising across kids apparel, toys, costumes, and other collectibles. Fans regularly share Vector memes, fan art, and tributes on social media. Elements of his character design and gadgets have inspired real-world technology like the honeycomb-style Vector headquarters influencing architectural projects.

Vector has been parodied in shows like The Simpsons and mentioned in various songs and music videos. Some real-life figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Pete Buttigieg have even been compared to Vector for sharing certain quirky traits.

The character also left a mark on hip hop culture, as the notorious rapper Vector seems to have derived his stage name and some fashion choices from Despicable Me's Vector based on his orange jumpsuit look.

For a supporting character who started as a villain, Vector demonstrated surprising longevity and influence. He will be remembered for his energized animation, evolving character arc, fun tech concepts, and ultimate redemption. Vector stands out as an unexpectedly endearing icon from the Despicable Me universe with wide-ranging pop culture impact.

FAQs

What is Vector's full name?

Vector's full name is Victor Perkins.

What was Vector's occupation?

Vector was the owner of a company called Vector Industries that specialized in aquatic life and marine animals. This served as a cover for his true desires to become a successful supervillain.

What is Vector's signature color and outfit?

Vector is nearly always seen wearing an orange track jacket and pants. This bright orange color matched his eccentric personality and became his trademark look.

What gadgets and weapons did Vector utilize?

Some of Vector's signature gadgets included his Piranha Gun that shot out vicious piranhas, hover shoes, and a giant magnet zeppelin capable of stealing the Great Pyramid.

Why did Vector reform from villain to hero?

After being stranded on the moon, Vector seemed to have a change of heart. He joined the Anti-Villain League and used his skills to support Gru in defeating Balthazar Bratt, finding new purpose with the team.