The Minions are back and they’re bringing a little Gru with them too. Is it worth it for your family to check it out in the theaters? Here’s my take:
Maybe some people are sick of the little yellow blobs with goggle eyes and denim overalls. In the theater for opening night, though, I can tell you that the kids who packed the seats were not in the least fatigued with the villainous minions. In fact, they loved them! They laughed over and over at the zany, falsetto jokes. They were taken aback by the cuteness of Bob and his Puss in Boots impression. And when the movie was over — if you can believe it — the theater applauded. I might not have enjoyed this children’s film as much as others in the theater but I know who the demographic is they’re aiming for. And that demographic left the cinema completely satisfied.
Minions: The Rise of Gru is a cute little family film that won’t leave you in stitches, it won’t amaze you with its imagery, and it certainly doesn’t have the deepest story to tell. But what it does right is that it sticks to the winning formula and it gives the kids what they’re looking for. Gru and the minions are both cute as can be, their jokes are never too crass, and there’s enough wit in the script to get adults through this without needing an alcoholic beverage or a heaping dose of butter on the popcorn.
At the end of the day, this is a story about a little villain trying to prove himself and his loveable henchmen helping him out. Villainy in this franchise is all about stealing things, though, so although there is a torture device that has someone spinning in circles, don’t expect “evil” to be… well… evil in the Despicable Me films. That’s a good thing because it means kids everywhere can hop in and have a good time. And unlike Lightyear or Baymax!, families don’t have to worry about anything leading to uncomfortable conversations with their children. The entire runtime is free of anything controversial. It’s just clean, family fun.
So grab your popcorn, get a soda, and take the kids to see something they’ll enjoy. It won’t win any awards, it’s nothing particularly special, but it isn’t trying to convince your little ones of any divisive morality. And you know what? Maybe that does make it special in today’s climate.
Review Score: 6/10 (Worthwhile)
For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts. Have you seen the latest Minions? We’d love to hear your take!
