Film Review: "Minions: The Rise of Gru"

The 2010 film “Despicable Me” introduced us to some of the most iconic animated characters of all time.  The yellow pill-shaped henchman that we know as the Minions! Despite their massive popularity, audiences had yet to learn about their first adventure with the villainous Gru (Steve Carrell). “Minions: The Rise of Gru '' follows 12-year-old Gru in his attempt to become the greatest supervillain of all time. At a brisk 87-minute running time, it’s a narrative designed for families. Which is a key ingredient of the theatrical experience, and is back in full force for the first time since the pandemic.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” can be best described as a sugar rush put onto film. That “sugar rush quality” is what I consider The Rise of Gru’s” biggest positive, which could be its biggest weakness for others.   There isn’t a wasted moment in the story, with so much in the vibrant and animated world that your eyes are just trying to keep up.  It’s the sort of film that could be a chore to watch but thankfully that isn’t the case.  The jokes come in such a steady barrage with a tightly paced story that remains consistent with its juvenile humor. Filled with wall-to-wall bathroom jokes and letting the minion characters just be themselves will be enough for some. It was certainly plenty for the kids and adults in my screening.

Most of the hijinks the Minions and young Gru get involved in are reminiscent of the “Looney Toons.” Each of the jokes involves a character of some kind getting hurt in an over-the-top way. That sort of humor is quite funny and you’re almost guaranteed to get laughs from it. One highlight is Steve Carrell’s charismatic voice performance that embraces the lunacy of this world. It’s so larger than life, much like the Minions themselves, so it’s hard not to be entertained. The only problem I see is that the zany and cartoonish humor is that it’s all the film has to offer. This is rather frustrating since the original  “Despicable Me” was focused on giving heart to villainous characters. 

Like any children’s film, there is an attempt to deliver a message for kids to grasp onto. The message here is a simple one, but I won’t mention it to avoid story spoilers. It’s an effective message that the children who attended the screening with me, seemed to grasp. The message  is coated in a karate-style action sequence which helps the family themes be easily digestible. What’s frustrating is that it feels rather simple in the context of this franchise. None of these films were groundbreaking, but the themes of “family and togetherness” of the original trilogy were effective.  There was just enough of a message, delivered in-jokes for both adults and children, that made the series feel wholesome. 

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” doesn’t quite nail the balance its predecessors were able to achieve. It trades in the heart, for a steady flow of jokes and set pieces that deliver very silly comedy. There is, however, a moving relationship that forms between young Gru and his villainous idol Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). There are relationships that feel genuine and even manage to bring in some very funny jokes. The problem is that it’s undercut by even zanier adventures by the minions, who meet a variety of other colorful characters. I’d be lying if I said their adventures didn’t make me laugh, but they left me wanting more. 

As a return to the theaters,  “Minions: The Rise of Gru”  delivers enjoyable entertainment for kids.  It’s the sort of story that never once overstays its welcome thanks to a quickly-paced narrative.  The jokes remain relatively consistent and there’s never dead air that will make kids bored. There are enough jokes for adults that will have them laughing ever expected. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of the previous films in the franchise, but for children, it will deliver more than enough enjoyment. Without the emotional heft of the “Despicable Me” franchise, “Minions: The Rise of Gru” offers plenty of diverting and fun entertainment.