MOVIE OF THE WEEK (7/1/22): MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

 

"Fine, fine – I'll tell you the story of my how the guy who voices me once did a sequel to a popular Jim Carrey he'd rather forget about!" Gru (Steve Carrel) finds himself flanked by Bob (left) and Kevin (right) in a scene from Illumination's MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU.  Credit: © 2022 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

DIRECTOR: Kyle Balda

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Alan Arkin, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Russell Brand, Michelle Yeoh, Danny Trejo, Julie Andrews and Pierre Coffin

WEB SITE: https://www.minionsmovie.com/

THE BACK STORY: While we know him as the world's greatest supervillain now, Gru (Steve Carell) was once a 10 year-old boy who just aspired to one day be known as such. His inspiration? The Vicious 6, a band of villains led by his hero Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). But as fate would have it, for as little as Gru knows about how to be a world-class villain, Knuckles is just as aloof how his status of the Vicious 6's leader may soon be up for grabs. For Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson) has her own ideas for who should be in charge and the rest of the crew – giant robotic-claw armed Jean Clawed (Jean-Claude Van Damme), evil sister Nunchuck (Lucy Lawless), Swedish roller-skating champ Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren) and Stronghold (Danny Trejo) – does as well. 

So, when young Gru ends up in San Francisco with his hero facing the wrath of the Vicious 6, it's going to be up to his minions to save him ... If they can get their act together first. 

THE REVIEW: Can you believe it's been more than a decade since Steve Carell's animated villainous alter-ego came into our lives? Well, if three Despicable Me movies and its subsequent two Minions spinoffs hadn't made you aware, the lovable little yellow, goggled creatures have been entertaining audiences for a dozen years. 

And, as much as I wish minions were real so I could have one or two of my own, the series is starting to become a bit stale as the bananas they covet.

At an hour and 30 minutes, Minions: The Rise of Gru isn't a long affair – and for good reason. The story is a bit minimalistic and feels very familiar from start to finish. That's not to say the film isn't without its moments, however. The backstory of Dr. Nefario is entertaining and Michelle Yeoh as an acupuncturist with a secret life helps make Bob, Kevin and Stuart's martial arts escapades fun enough and San Francisco feels as alive as it ever has in animated form.

That being said, there's really no new ground being broken in the The Rise of Gru and it likely won't win the franchise any new fans that weren't enthralled with the first four films. Then again, it's simplicity might help keep it light years (pun intended) ahead of the competition. 

Maybe next time out, they'll just think of bringing a ripe banana to the show instead of one that is starting to turn a little brown.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):