Vector From Despicable Me - Personality, Style, and Why He's a Memorable Animated Villain

Introducing Vector, the Villain of Despicable Me

In the popular animated film franchise Despicable Me, the character Vector is one of the main antagonists. Voiced by actor Jason Segel, Vector is an eccentric villain with a unique sense of style and a grandiose personality. But what makes Vector such a memorable and compelling villain in the Despicable Me universe?

Vector's Origins and Backstory

Not much is revealed about Vector's origins or backstory in the Despicable Me films. He comes from a wealthy family and has access to ample resources to fund his villainous plans. Vector seems driven largely by ego and a desire to prove himself as a capable villain worthy of recognition and respect.

He first appears in the original Despicable Me film as a rival to main protagonist Felonius Gru. Vector and Gru compete over the theft of the shrink ray pyramid, with Vector ultimately stealing it first. This kicks off their adversarial relationship as Gru then attempts to one-up Vector and pull off an even more impressive heist.

Vector's Personality and Traits

Vector's most defining traits are his massive ego, flair for dramatic displays, and childish personality. He presents himself as suave and sophisticated, but frequently acts immature and petty. Vector's persona is marked by frequent emotional outbursts when things don't go his way.

He has a love of technology and gizmos, relying on elaborate gadgets and inventions for his criminal schemes. Vector favors complex, over-the-top plans rather than brute force to achieve his ends. He's more inclined toward showmanship than practicality.

Vector often behaves like a spoiled child denied a toy when his schemes are thwarted by Gru. His emotional immaturity underscores his lack of success as a villain in matching the cunning of Gru.

Vector's Criminal Schemes

In the first Despicable Me film, Vector's primary criminal goal is to steal the shrink ray pyramid and harness its power to carry out his plans. He successfully steals the shrink ray first, using it to miniaturize the Great Pyramid of Giza.

This prompts Gru to one-up him by stealing the Earth's moon, cutting it down to size to keep as a souvenir. The absurd escalation highlights Vector's penchant for impractical, over-the-top villainy guided by ego more than common sense.

Vector later attempts to steal the shrink ray back from Gru, only to have his efforts foiled. He also launches other failed plans like sending militarized robots to attack Gru's home.

In later franchise installments, Vector returns briefly but plays a minor role without any major criminal plots. His incompetence as a villain who is perpetually outdone by Gru renders him more of a nuisance than a serious threat.

Vector's Unique Style and Aesthetic

Vector cuts a unique figure among animated villains with his distinctive sense of style. He dresses in bold orange and yellow tracksuits with helmets and goggles that lend him a futuristic look.

Vector favors standing out with bright colors, visors, and shiny gadgets that complement his zeal for ostentatious displays. Even his lair features a modern orange and white color scheme punctuated by science fiction-esque control panels.

This aesthetic matches Vector's exaggerated personality as someone who always needs to be the center of attention. He uses his attire and flair for presentation to announce himself loudly as a bold, innovative villain.

Vector's Memorable Voice Acting

The vocal performance by Jason Segel brings abundant personality and humor to the character. Segel captures Vector's childish temperaments with pitch-perfect petulant tone and delivery.

Vector's lines are elevated by Segel's comical emotional range between egotistical boasting, gleeful celebration, and whiny frustration. The voice acting really emphasizes Vector's immaturity in contrast with Gru's cooler demeanor.

Segel's work provides plenty of laughs while making Vector a more sympathetic villain than purely menacing. The voice acting rounds out the portrayal of a villain who is incompetent but nonetheless entertaining.

Why Vector Stands Out

So in many ways, Vector represents both a subversion and appreciation of villain tropes in animated films. He possesses megalomaniacal ambitions of conquest coupled with comical ineptitude in executing his plans.

Vector stands out for his unique persona that is bold, stylish, childish, and filled with bravado. He thinks big in his schemes but frequently stumbles in achieving his criminal goals. Ultimately, Vector serves as an egotistical and eccentric foil to Gru's more capable villainy.

While Vector may not present a serious threat, he elevates the Despicable Me universe with humor and fun style. His energy and flamboyance contribute to an appealing villain who leaves a memorable impression on audiences.

Vector's role underscores how villains, even incompetent ones, can be crucial in driving animated stories and bringing plenty of fun and laughs along the way. For all these reasons, Vector remains a standout character in the Despicable Me franchise.

FAQs

Who is Vector in Despicable Me?

Vector is one of the main villains in the Despicable Me animated film franchise. He is an eccentric criminal mastermind driven by ego who serves as a rival to the protagonist Felonius Gru.

What makes Vector unique as a villain?

Vector stands out for his bold and flashy sense of style featuring bright orange tracksuits and futuristic visors. He also behaves immaturely despite his megalomania. Voice actor Jason Segel captures Vector's petulant personality.

What are some of Vector's key traits?

Vector is defined by his massive but fragile ego, childish personality, love of technology and showmanship, and flair for dramatic presentations. He acts like a spoiled child when things don't go his way.

What criminal schemes does Vector attempt in the films?

His main criminal goals include stealing the shrink ray pyramid and using it to miniaturize landmarks. He also tries to steal the shrink ray back from Gru and sends robots to attack Gru's home, but his plans consistently fail.

Why is Vector an iconic Despicable Me villain?

Despite his ineptitude, Vector represents a subversion of villain tropes with his unique look and personality. He serves as an entertaining, eccentric foil to the more capable villainy of Gru.