‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Review – Nonstop Fun and Laughter from Beginning to End

Synopsis:

When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar^® winner ALAN ARKIN)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even the most despicable need a little help from their friends.

There’s nothing like having a great group of friends or even just one great friend. They’ll help you in your times of need, boost you up when you are feeling down, gas you up when you attempt something new, and you’re there to do the same. They can also provide a sense of love and community that you may not have experienced before. As the saying goes, you don’t get to pick your family but you can pick your friends. Choose wisely.

“Me? I want to be a supervillain.”

It had to start somewhere, right? We love a good origin story and it’s about time we saw how Gru became the supervillain we know and how the Minions came into his life. Written by Brian Lynch and Matthew Fogel and Directed by Kyle Balda, Minions: The Rise of Gru is nonstop fun and laughter from beginning to end. You might say, it’s a despicably good time. I’m sorry. In what is now the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time, the Despicable Me universe is still alive and kicking. And with this new addition to it, it’s kicking incredibly strong. Not only is this film good family entertainment, but it’s also just flat-out entertaining. The animation looks better than ever, the physical comedy is always hilarious and something that we don’t get enough of, and the score is great.

Since the origin takes place in the 70s, there are tons of references to films of the era. Even the film’s title intro is a nod to 007 films, and even the villains have names that are reminiscent of 70s action movies. As we follow an almost 12-year-old Gru on his path to supervillainy, we also get glimpses at a few other characters that we are familiar with. Also, a new brace-faced Minion named Otto. The adult Gru that we know isn’t someone who likes to hear ‘no’ and kid Gru is no different. Once he is denied acceptance into the Vicious 6, he takes matters into his own hands and becomes the criminal faction’s number one target. Things really begin to unfold once Gru is kidnapped and he now has to rely on the unorthodox and goofy Minions to save him. This fast-paced action-packed chuckle-fest is a Kung fu-infused rescue adventure that is sure to delight. You don’t necessarily have to have seen the previous films to enjoy this one, however, it will make it more enjoyable. With its quick start and epic finish, this loyalty, determination, and connection-themed comedy is just what the summer needs—it’s undeniably cute. Minions: The Rise of Gru is mystical and playful, and the story is concise and easily digestible. I enjoyed it more than I expected too and my family did as well. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

This film wastes zero time getting to the action. With its cold open, it thrusts you right into the middle of a high-speed chase and the film keeps that same energy and pace throughout its runtime. Besides the animation, the Minions themselves are what popped for me. Not only are they hilarious, but the fact that they are able to relay so much information to us while speaking an amalgamation of different languages is fantastic.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Hensen, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Lucy Lawless, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, RZA, Pierre Coffin

It should come as no surprise that this cast was amazing. I mean, just look at all the names, if you’re a millennial, these names have been with us for decades. Steve Carrell is able to make anything funny and there’s always enough heart to make this supervillain a favorite. Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow was my favorite and her character is a clear standout. She’s an acupuncturist who is also a kung fu master. Her sequence in the film is some of the best as she trains the Minions. Alan Arkin as the seasoned villain, Wild Knuckles is like the old man that never wanted kids until he did, but now it’s too late. Arkin’s rich and raspy voice fits perfectly. You can’t help but feel sorry for Wild Knuckles because even though he’s a villain, he has a few redeeming qualities and he was wronged in a big way. It’s the classic, “the villain of my villain is my hero” situation. And let me not forget the amazing job Pierre Coffin did as the Minions. I’m not sure how he is able to do what he does, but he is phenomenal at it. Not all the characters were given an abundance of screentime but when they got it, it was entertaining.

Minions: The Rise of Gru releases in theaters on July 1, 2022. Be safe and enjoy.

Runtime: 1h 27m

Rated: PG

Director: KYLE BALDA

Writers: BRIAN LYNCH, MATTHEW FOGEL

Producers: CHRIS MELEDANDRI, p.g.a., JANET HEALY, p.g.a., CHRIS RENAUD, p.g.a.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhIl_XJ-OGA]