Minions is a a prequel/spin-off to the Despicable Me franchise, written by Brian Lynch, directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, and produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy. The film stars Pierre Coffin (as the Minions), Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Hiroyuki Sanada, Geoffrey Rush, and Steve Carell as Felonious Gru, a supervillain and the Minions’ master in the Despicable Me films.
Minions are small, yellow pill-like creatures who have existed since the beginning of time, evolving from single-celled organisms into beings with only one purpose — to serve history’s most despicable masters. After accidentally destroying all their masters, including a T. Rex, a caveman, an Egyptian pharaoh, Dracula, and Napoleon, they isolate themselves from the world and start a new life in the arctic. By 1968, lack of a master drives them into depression, causing minion Kevin to set out to find a new master. Joined by minions Stuart (who unwittingly was selected) and Bob (due to a lack of volunteers), they travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they face their biggest challenge to date — saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation.
The Minions arrive in New York, where they learn that Villain-Con, a villain convention where supervillains from around the world gather, is being held in Orlando, Florida. They hitch a ride with a family of criminals heading to Villain-Con. After meeting various supervillains, they become henchmen for Scarlet Overkill, the world’s first female supervillain. Scarlet takes the Minions to her residence in London, where she instructs the Minions to steal St. Edward’s Crown for her, threatening to execute them if they fail. And more fun ensues. The film is in nationwide release as of Friday, July 10, 2015.
Our consultant Lucas took his son and they were delightfully impressed with the new film. He says, “Minions was a fun spinoff and surrogate prequel to the Despicable Me franchise, and at just about an hour and a half, a great length for the average kid crowd. They feature a lot of cute gags in the movie; among the humor were a couple of adult-targeted jokes here and there. The story was both an entertaining standalone, and a background on the lovable Minions themselves. The use of subtle 3-D was tasteful and engaging, and far more realistic than that of live action films.
“The film’s soundtrack was something the trailer did not spoil at all. About half of the classic tunes from the ads appear in the film, and the rest is an assembly of delightful and appropriate hits to accompany the 60s and 70s setting of the majority of the story. Flags, banners, wardrobe, gadgets… the world of the Minions is kept immense by some very creative dedication to these minute elements. Overall, this film is a gleeful feast for the eyes and the sense of humor. Be sure to enjoy the action in the credits and stay seated for a wonderful encore!”
