Who does enjoy a good origin story? The most important word in that sentence is good. We all have grown to love Gru and his devoted yellow henchmen the Minions. Lovable bad guys. A great combo. Film fans have lapped that up for a long time. But, if you are going to make a film with them as the focal point it has to, like any other film, be good.
This one is passable but barely. Which is too bad because there is plenty of potential here. Besides the general oddness of Gru and the silliness of the Minions.
In 1970s suburbia, there lived a 12-year-old boy. His name was Gru (voiced by Steve Carell). He was not your typical 12-year-old, however. Gru spent much of his free time concocting a plan on how to take over the world.
A window opens when the supervillain group the Vicious 6 gets rid of their leader. Gru tries to fill the position. But they do not think he is even close to being ready. To prove they made a mistake Gru steals something of importance. When this go tits up with that plan due to the Minions. Gru is now enemy number one to Vicious 6 so he is on the run while his daffy cohorts try to fix things.
Incredible amount of talent in the voice cast here with Carell being supported by ‘Taraji P. Henson, Will Arnett, Alan Arkin, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Danny Trejo, Lucy Lawless, Jimmy O. Yang, RZA, Steve Coogan, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Dolph Lundgren. They are most certainly not the problem here. What is the problem is the rather thin story. 50 year old rug kind of thin.
Despite this flaw there is till some fun to be had. You will find yourself having a giggle or two. Full belly laughs several times as well. Most involve those crazy Minions. All the hijinx and action sequences they get up to loads of stuff in a fast and furious type pace.
Another strength is the animation. It is super and really realistic.
Special Features:
-Digital Copy
- 2 Mini-Movies: Post Modern Minions and Minions and Monsters
- Extended Scene
- Outtakes
- Minion Martial Arts
- Lair Flair: Make Your Own Minion Hideout
- Character Profiles
- Gru-vy Animation
- The ’70s – Fashion, Food & Funk
- How to Draw (& Animate) with Brad Ableson
- Super Style Shop
