Minions: The Rise of Gru movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Minions: The Rise of Gru

This animated action prequel to the popular Minions franchise opens in theaters July 1, 2022.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 27 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

The newest addition to the Despicable Me and Minions franchise tells the untold story of one twelve-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain. We get to see who and what events inspired a young Gru to become the greatest villain the world has ever known.

If you think the Minions are adorable and hilarious, you’re in store for more of their entertaining antics. If they annoy you, you’ll definitely want to skip this.

The colorful and chaotic film from Universal Pictures and Illumination was directed by returning Kyle Balda with co-writing help by Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val. The screenplay was written by Matthew Fogel.

THINGS I LIKED:

The fantastic voice talents are presented by a power-packed cast: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Alan Arkin, and Pierre Coffin.
Kids will be introduced to the groovy 1960s & 70s including things like Tupperware parties, rotary phones, hippie hair, Mad Magazine, record stores, and popular music of the day like “You’re No Good”.
The animation itself is ridiculously good.
Kids will love the crazy shenanigans and visual humor while parents will appreciate the many clever references that will fly over the heads of their young ones.
The opening sequence cleverly mimics those of James Bond movies and got me laughing immediately.
I think the minions’ gibberish is adorable, but I readily admit it can also be annoying for viewers.
Every screen is completely filled with so many fun details to enjoy.
Keep watching during the rolling credits for more cuteness.
Fun fact: This movie broke the record as the longest-advertised animated movie in film history! They released their first trailer almost 2 1/2 years ago! This is also the first theatrically-released animated sequel to a prequel.
Fun, nostalgic soundtrack.
Almost non-stop action.
The run-time is perfect. Any longer and it might have been torture.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The story weaves around quite a few subplots and becomes rather messy.
For many viewers, it’s just going to be a bunch of frenzied chaos that ends in a headache. I’ve always really liked the minions but I was ready for this movie to end. Just saying.
Long before the movie actually hit theaters, the studio stacked the deck by filling IMDB with tons of 10-star reviews. Don’t get me wrong though…the reviews are hilarious in their obligated devotion.
The film moves so fast that it doesn’t take the necessary time to have quiet, emotional moments. No tears were shed (at least mine weren’t).