One of the biggest surprises from 2010’s Despicable Me was those yellow banana shaped minions. Five years and one sequel later, comes the prequel aptly named, Minions. Warning spoilers ahead…
The premise behind Minions is their journey throughout history to find and serve the most despicable master they could find. From a T-Rex to Dracula to Napoleon himself, the minions have had one unsuccessful run after another. Now, the community is in a state of depression. In order to change that, Kevin along with Stuart and Bob set out into the unknown world ahead of them in search of a new despicable master to serve.
Their journey takes them to New York City in the late 1960’s where they find out that there’s a villain convention-taking place in Orlando, Florida. They hitchhike a ride down south where they meet their new potential master in the first-ever female super villain, Scarlet Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock). Scarlet takes them under her evil wing with a mission in mind. She wants take the crown from Queen Elizabeth II and rule England and she wants it at any cost. The minions are all on board to do just that until they find that Scarlet’s despicable plan is even more despicable than they ever imagined.
Despite their need to serve the most evil, Kevin, Stuart and Bob rush to save the Queen’s crown and all of mankind. There are several fun moments along the way and you do get a chuckle because you’re reminded about how cute and not evil they really are. For the most part, Minions is a fun film with a lot of inside jokes for adults. At times it’s perhaps too adult in nature but with the vibrant colors and funny sounds that these characters make, kids will undoubtedly embrace it. This film further proves that prequels generally speaking, don’t work and that supporting characters are just that. They’re supporting for a reason.
If you’re a parent looking to entertain your young ones, may I suggest Pixar’s Inside Out. That’s a choice you won’t regret.
Directed by: Pierre Coffin & Kyle Balda
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Allison Janney and Michael Keaton.
PG 91 Mins
Minions – *** (out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
