With the hopes of continuing the Despicable Me franchise, Universal felt it could find success by making a film that put just about all of its focus on the minions that were introduced in those earlier pictures. Not only that, but the aptly named Minions is a prequel that shows us all how these lived before joining the ranks of the most diabolical villain in the world.
Before meeting what would become their leader, the minions (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) were constantly on the lookout for someone with the right amount of despicable qualities for them to follow. It’s been an extremely difficult search for generations, but Kevin is about to take charge as he ventures into the world to find a new commander that he and his minion brothers can serve with all their heart. Along with Stuart and Bob, he travels through unfamiliar territory that sees them facing the biggest challenges of their lives.
The protagonists in this film are hoping to be an adorable trio that will connect with audiences as much as they have in the previous films that they were featured in. Seeing as how they don’t actually speak an understandable language, that’s a difficult task to an extent. That’s why it was important to have other characters there to assist in carrying this relatively short feature.
While some of these other guys are fun and add value to the movie, none of them have the ability to steal the spotlight from the leads. In a sense, you can take that as a positive, but it’s also not a great thing since some could argue that having greater second tier characters could have made what’s here even more enjoyable.
Overall, Minions represents an odd film for someone such as myself. I can usually breakdown what I like or dislike about a film rather easily, but as it turns out, this is one of those pictures that doesn’t supply you much to talk about when looking to review it. When I find films that are of good quality, I can point out what I like and expand on it. With Minions, I simply can’t because there isn’t much to say.
It’s all fairly basic in actuality. There’s nothing special about its storyline, its villains or even its primary goals. Not only that, but this film isn’t really trying say anything either when looking at friendship, loyalty or anything else that could have been plugged in to help with a story. The lack of a message isn’t a huge deal to me, but it could have added to what being showcased.
While it’s nothing amazing or groundbreaking, Minions does have some positive things to offer its viewers and target audience. At the screening that I attended, it received an obviously positive reaction from the kids that were there. I could tell that they enjoyed it quite a bit from not only the laughter that surrounded me, but from the young girl sitting across from me with her family.
I’m not usually into having kids sit that close to me since they tend to be too active and loud for my taste, but she was well behaved while somehow still managing to be very active over the course of the screening. Anyway, I bring her up, because Minions certainly engaged her. She also embodies the type of people who are supposed to be attracted to films like this.
Strictly from a child’s perspective, she and the rest of the minions of these minions will have a fun time watching this animated adventure. If I had kids myself, I would certainly take them to see something like this since it gives them what they’re looking for while not carrying on long enough to give me a headache. Then again, I know that some of us adults find this feature films to be entertaining as well. In that case, you may want to go see this for yourself.
Minions turns out to be a fun, loose and highly active movie with a bunch of zany characters finding their way in and out of trouble throughout. While it’s not as well put together as something like Inside Out, it promises to supply quality entertainment for children and fans of the Despicable Me franchise. In instances like this, that’s all that matters when it comes to satisfying the viewer.
Rating: PG
Directors:
Pierre Coffin
Kyle Balda
Cast;
Sandra Bullock
Jon Hamm
Pierre Coffin
Michael Keaton
Allison Janney
Steve Coogan
Geoffrey Rush
Film Length: 91 minutes
Release Date: July 10, 2015
Distributor: Universal Pictures
