Obviously no mention of the vast army of artists who created this film, but instead a list of 'voice actors', which includes Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin. Written by Matthew Fogel. Directed by Kyle Balda. Budget $80 million. Running time 88 minutes.
Fifth film to feature the Minions, and the third actual Minions film. I loved them in the first two Gru films, where I thought the three orphan girls really helped to give the film its heart. Obviously, this being an origin story of sorts, no girls, just a youthful Gru and an army of Minions. The plot, set in the 1970s, cos the musics so damn good, sees 11 year-old Gru want to join the Vicious 6 super villain gang, who are auditioning for a new member after booting out and seemingly killing their leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin who wins this film an extra point, just by being here). To prove his worth, Gru steals a valuable magical item from their HQ, which has the power to transform people into giant magical animals. Rather than be impressed by the young Gru's Chutzpa and daring, the V6 spend the rest of the time trying to kill him. Obvs, Gru entrusts the Minions to help him, naturally they fuck up and then it's the usual trope-ticking, and a quick game of plot-bingo as we romp through various generic beats, mandated by law to feature in animated kids films, before the big action-packed ending (also mandated), where Gru wins the day and everybody is happy.
Loved the trailer, loved the short before the Jurassic World: Dominopizza movie, didn't love this. Didn't hate it either, just a lot more middling than I was expecting and surprisingly low in the laughter department. Best bit, by a country mile is the sequence onboard the jumbo jet, heavily shown in the trailer. Also, oddly featuring some bizarre jokes referencing old films that only the kid's grandparents are going to get, like Midnight Cowboy, assuming they're not sleeping through this candy coloured madness that is.
And talking of 'candy-coloured madness', I have to say that I love the look of the Minion's world and I love the animation, big thumbs up to the artists and visual creatives behind the scenes who really do deserve much more credit.
This gets a 6/10, which is all for the art and animation.
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