This film is non-stop animated action in a prequel with hoards of frantic Minions in a wild romp film filled with schtick and slapstick. For kids, it’s a visual laugh riot. And Writer/Directors Pierre Coffin (Despicable Me franchise) with co-writer Brian Lynch and co-director Patrick Delage, provide parents and adults with wry humor, great music, and you’ll be able to discern a lot of what they Minions say when they talk. Pierre Coffin, has been the voice of all of the Minions since 2010, but in this film, he created a hybrid English/Spanish mumbo jumbo dialect that’s somewhat understandable and funny.
It starts with Tour Guide Olivia (Allison Janney) giving a graphic lesson on the importance of two Minions, James and Henry, to the history of Hollywood filmmaking. She takes the crowd of kids and adults through some of the best-known stunts and scenes starring silent film stars Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Paying homage to these silent movie heroes is a great lesson for what was done without the help of today’s technology.
Narrator and museum guide, Olivia (Allison Janney) talks about Minions James and Henry who want to be great filmmakers. It’s hilarious to see Olivia talking to Star Wars’ creator/director George Lucas who is seen trapped in a display case lending his voice to his cartoon self. Lucas, is a good sport in an surprising, silly bit that had everybody laughing.
Olivia continues with the history of James and Henry on the path to becoming filmmakers. They’re told by Super silents Director, Max (Christoph Waltz) in the company of movie moguls Jeff & Elwood (Voice by Jeff Bridges), to make the best movie, find the most frightening creatures and unleash them. Film it. But when it goes completely off the rails, they have to find a way to save the planet, from the evil monsters’ chaos. Some of the bits might be a little scary for younger kids, but there were no complaints in our screening. Not a whimper.
Here is the list of evil doers along with a crazy robot alien space nerd, Dort (Jessie Eisenberg), whose name was changed for this film from an original space character Gort from the1951 classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still. Also see strong-willed suffragette, Debbie, Zoey Deutch (Nouvelle Vague) and green tripple-lipped character and comedic n’er-do-well, Goomi (Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park). The cast also adds Saturday Night Live alum Bobby Moynihan as Philip (one of 2 creatures freed by Goomi) and Phil LaMarr (Futurama, King of the Hill). Listen for the voices of Steve Carell (Gru) and Romesh Ranganathan in roles you know from their previous Minions performances in Despicable Me and more by the end. Stick with the credits. They’re creative.
Action and Minion giggles to like and laugh at are packed in a reasonable hour and a half. Creator, Pierre coffin, with all his Minion voices, and talented Lynch and Delage, boost these overactive Minions to the top of the heap of their own film history.
Universal Pictures 1 Hour 30 Minutes PG
