Minions

If the banana looking characters from the “Despicable Me” series made you roll on the floor laughing, you’ll find no break in “Minions,” released in 2015, the third chapter in the series. Gru and his three adopted daughters are not in the film, nor does Pharrell Williams’ sing the soundtrack. Instead, Gru’s loyal Minions are our protagonist, highlighted by a 60s era, Beatles-heavy soundtrack that must have had some copyright permissions. Odie Henderson stated in the review, “Guided (and voiced) by co-director Pierre Coffin, the minion species earns an origin story that begins in the primordial soup and ends 42 years B.G. (Before Gru).” Since “Minions” doesn’t have the emotional moments of this series, you would think that it is just a movie made to make some money by the cheapskates at Universal. That thinking is wrong, because this movie isn’t in that vain.

However, “Minions” is harsh and in multiple ways. It’s harsh in how it shows the slapstick-filled hijinks that will keep your children’s eyes on the screen. Henderson noted, “Then, sensing the duress that parents were under when their aforementioned crumbsnatchers demanded to see it, the film relentlessly throws every single oldies station pop and rock song it can find at the speakers. “Minions” opens with The Turtles’ “Happy Together,” ends post-credits with The Beatles’ “Revolution” and finds time for a number from “Hair” that threatens to end the way Act 1 of that musical did.” If that wasn’t enough, the cast includes the great Jon Hamm from “Mad Men,” Michael Keaton and Sandra Bullock as Gru’s predecessor to villainy, the beautifully named Scarlett Overkill.

Before I talk about Scarlett Overkill, our narrator, done by the great Geoffrey Rush, tells us about the evolution of the minion. They walked out of their caves to serve T-Rexes, pharaohs and even Napoleon, who banished them to Antarctica after a mistake in the cannon accident. Tired with their cold cave, minion leader Kevin leaves to find a new master for his members. He asks for volunteers and gets one-eyed Stuart and the littlest comic Bon, who is small even by minion standards.

On their mission, this funny trio once in a while sing a song, singing in their hilarious Minion language that no one can understand. (Henderson admitted, “I understood some of their dialogue, which scared the heck out of me.”) Not being able to understand a word they are saying might be one reason “Minions” will be successful abroad. This is a film where foreign countries will not need to dub over them. This is also why, out of all the “Despicable Me” films, “Minions” is targeted towards the youngest of movie audiences.

The minion mission is to reach the 1968 Villain-Con conference, where they can find a new villain masters. Their first stop is the biggest attraction in USA, New York City. From there, they get a ride to Orlando with a family of bank robbers led by Michael Keaton and Alison Janney. They really do a lot of their short screen time, bringing a funny delivery to their lines before the film unleashes a hilarious clothing sight gag. Keaton and Janney are a lot more fun than Scarlett Overkill, who also wants to steal but more of royal objects.

When it comes to talking characteristics, Overkill could have used more of her family name. Other than a great entrance that showcases Bullock’s best line reading in the film, she’s not a memorable villain. Henderson mentioned, “Her reputation precedes her—she’s touted as the ne plus ultra of villainy—but all she seems to do is yell.” Since the minions’ main reason in life is to serve the world’s most evil villains, Scarlett seems to be the right one. She’s looking for new minions to help her steal the crown jewels and become Queen of England, so Kevin and his friends are tempted to sign up for the audition.

Unfortunately for Kevin and the Minions,, Queen Elizabeth II won’t be an easy target. Henderson noted, “She’s a lot more spry in 1968 than she’ll be in 2015.” She beats up the minions in their first encounter. Henderson said, “The Queen also comes off as more Swingin’ Sixties babe than the Oscar-winning Helen Mirren portrayal, though I suppose she could be channeling the 1968 version of Helen Mirren.” In the role, Jennifer Saunders is absolutely phenomenal. Along with its polychromatic attentions to its famous locations, she’s the movie’s saving grace. Henderson said, “I can only imagine how the second half jabs at all things British will play in the U.K., but like everything else in “Minions,” they come as a fast and furious series of non-stop gags.”

Henderson noted, “The film ends with the appearance of a famous character from the series, which can be read as either the biggest fan pander or the set-up for yet another prequel that will bridge the gap between “Minions” and “Despicable Me.” I’d like to see that movie. In fact, that story should have been the plot of this movie.”

Who cares, we must work with what we see on screen. The greedy desire to please originating from the screen is, quite obviously, tiring. Henderson noted, ““Minions” is a big, slobbery dog who licks your face, brings your slippers and humps your leg before turning into an adorable kitten with big eyes and a soulful mew. And, so help me, I couldn’t stay mad at it for long. Every time it got aggravating, it would immediately do something that made me smile and forgive it. Bear in mind that, as my "Despicable Me 2" review mentioned, I’m a big minions fan. Fandom is a pre-requisite for this movie, and if you’re not a fan, your kids probably are.” Smile and deal with it for them, because like the Pharrell song from the last movie, “Minions” is probably going to be inevitable.

In all honesty, as a prequel, I didn’t really like this as much as the original movies. That is actually an obvious reaction when watching it because any prequel hasn’t been better than the original movie. I can’t think of any that was better, but this one isn’t bad. It’s actually very funny and your kids will definitely be engaged while watching it. Definitely check it out if you’re a Minion fan because you will be laughing from first minute to last.

Check in next week for the finale in “Despicable Me Month” where I talk about the latest installment, that I saw on opening day.