Minions & Monsters: The Best Minions Outing Yet

Starting off as side characters in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, the minions have since transcended the franchise, earning a franchise of their own. Appearing on the big screen since 2010 in the original ‘Despicable Me,’ the lovable little yellow guys never get old as they just keep getting themselves in trouble, participating in various hijinks. The formula works, however, when it comes to the latest installment of the ‘Minions’ franchise, it takes the titular little guys in a slightly different direction. Minions & Monsters sees the little guys intersect with 1920’s Hollywood in hilarious fashion as the minions search for cool monsters to make their own monster movie. Where this franchise has excelled is the situations the writers put the minions in. Defined by their relationship with their masters, this film proves that they can be so much more, pushing the boundaries on what can be possible moving forward (something that seems inevitable). Running at exactly 90-minutes, the film delivers a lean and thrilling machine, offering plenty of laughs, and a lot of heart. As audiences have come to know and love these characters over the years, it’s hard not to develop some sort of emotional connection to them, and the film plays into that. Bringing more than just silliness to keep younger audiences entertained, Minions & Monsters provides arguably its most well-rounded story to date, and a film that easily ranks among the best of the ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions’ franchises.

As mentioned, Minions & Monsters tracks the beginnings of the titular yellow creatures, as they venture out in search for the biggest and most evil of bosses to work for. After a series of epic blowups with a revolving door of potential big bosses, the minions found themselves on the outskirts of Hollywood. Digging deeper into the minions and their complicated dynamic with one another, the film adds more depth, as it dives further into what makes them tick. Singling out a pair of minions, James (Coffin) and Henry  (Coffin), James was unlike the others, much to the detriment of the pack. With his head in the clouds, he saw the world different than the others, expressing that perspective creatively by drawing on the blank pages of his handy sketchbook. Often with his head in the clouds and not focused on the task at hand, James’ personality tended to rub the other minions the wrong way, except for Henry. Henry understood James, and his creative personality, so the two became the best of friends. Amidst that divide, arriving in Hollywood, the minions let their presence be known, making an epic entrance through a sequence that ranks among the franchise’s best. Not quite knowing what they walked into, they essentially became overnight silent film celebrities. The intersection of the minions and old Hollywood meant opportunities to seamlessly weave in a boatload of classic film references that are sure to get a rise from older audiences, but not at the expense of younger ones.

In the end, every rise is accompanied by a fall. As the industry moved from silent film to talkies, the minions, and their language, were no longer suitable, and they were let go by studio heads Frank and Elwood (Jeff Bridges). Working closely with Max (Waltz), a director from the studio, he and the minions developed a close bond. Empowering James and his imagination, he offered him advice and guidance, as James saw in their ousting an opportunity to realize his dream and make his own monster movie. However, the other minions differed and resume their search for their next boss. Jumping back and forth between both groups of minions, James’ monster movie, made with the best of intentions, found itself spiralling out of control as he, Henry, and co.’s naivety were taken advantage of by a group of monsters looking to advance their own motives. Meanwhile, the other minions rallied around Dort (Jesse Eisenberg), an alien robot from outer space with a complicated relationship with the human race. Eventually, an exciting climax would bring everyone back together, once the fate of Hollywood was at stake. An excess of emotional stakes and silliness, it all works as the minions must mend their differences and work together to stop their biggest threat yet. While the outcome is never in question, the grandiose manner in which it takes place makes it into an absolute spectacle that delivers a more than satisfying payoff.

On an animation level, Illumination has stepped up their game with their best animation yet. Sharp, colorful, and vibrant unlike any ‘Despicable Me’ or ‘Minions’ movie before, characters and environments each get an upgrade individually and in how they interact with one another. The film’s biggest monster is a feat in and of itself, as are all its allusions to the Hollywood classics it is paying homage to. Besides the animation, the writing by Brian Lynch and Coffin is another highlight, providing a story with depth and emotion, along with the kind of humor and spectacle audiences have come to expect from the overall franchise. Compelling, but most importantly entertaining, Minions & Monsters packs a lot within its short runtime. Once again in the director’s chair, Coffin does it all. Not missing a beat as the voice of the minions, he, and the supporting cast all bring their own flair to the table. Including such other names as Allison Janney, Trey Parker, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and that George Lucas, Eisenberg is a scene-stealer as Dort, playing him as either a real robot or a man in a robot costume.

Minions & Monsters delivers the best minions outing yet, pairing a strong, well-rounded story with stellar animation and voice acting.

still courtesy of Illumination/Universal Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.