‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ review: Colourful little henchmen steal the show once again in delightfully silly sequel
- This fifth instalment in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise tells the story of how the little yellow creatures became allied with their young master, Gru
- A new Minion named Otto joins the main trio – Kevin, Stuart and Bob – in their adventure as Gru joins the Vicious 6 embarks on his journey to become the world’s greatest supervillain
The latest spin-off in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise tells the story of young Gru’s transformation into a supervillain, along with his little zany servants. Photo: Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via APYou can’t help but be charmed by the current of weirdness that washes through the computer-animated Despicable Me franchise.
Take, for instance, Minions: The Rise of Gru – the second prequel to the main movie series and the sequel to 2015’s Minions – which debuts this week in cinemas.
It introduces a collection of colourful new villains, including Jean Clawed, who’s voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Nun-chuck, a Lucy Lawless-voiced character who, yes, is a nun-chucks-wielding nun.
Yet while a young version of the series’ anti-hero, Gru (voiced, as always, by Steve Carell), is front and centre in this romp, the draw continues to be the Minions. The odd but obedient little yellow fellows – voiced distinctly and cleverly again by the uniquely gifted Pierre Coffin – are worth the price of a ticket.
After an adventure that ultimately landed them back in the late 1960s, we meet back up with them, serving a nearly 12-year-old Gru, in the mid-70s.
Gru worships a daring supervillain team of the day, the Vicious 6. In the movie’s opening minutes, the group travels to Asia to steal a powerful item known as the Zodiac Stone. After the gang’s leader, Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin), narrowly escapes with it, another member, the Afro-sporting Belle Bottom (Taraji P Henson), snatches it from him and literally cuts him out of the team, filling the sudden leadership void herself.
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Gru is thrilled when he’s granted a chance to interview for the opening with the Vicious 6 and excitedly heads for an interview in their secret lair within the music store Criminal Records. There, Gru meets a future associate, then-aspiring mad scientist Dr Nefario (Russell Brand), but the interview is a bust.
However, in hopes of impressing Belle Bottom and company, Gru swipes the Zodiac Stone. Instead, that puts him in their crosshairs and leads him to his favourite baddy, Wild Knuckles, who becomes his mentor.
Meanwhile, the familiar Minion trio of Kevin, Stuart and Bob are worried about Gru and try to catch up with him, while a new minion character, the larger, almost-round and highly chatty Otto tries to redeem himself after disappointing Gru.
Others contributing voice work include Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), as Master Chow, an acupuncturist who tries to teach kung fu to Kevin, Stuart and Bob; and Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music), who returns as Gru’s mother.
Gru is a little less successful when it comes to telling a compelling story. Although a sweet moment or two is shared by Gru and Knuckles, the new characters aren’t well-developed, and the story is overall pretty forgettable.
Ultimately, the Minion-fuelled gags are enough. We won’t spoil all the fun, but be aware there are at least two instances where you’ll get a peek at bare Minion behind.