Minions

Minions

Starring Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney

Directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin

The Story:
The Minions have existed since the beginning of time.  They've got one purpose - to find the biggest, baddest, evilest boss to work for.  Throughout the centuries they've worked for a T-Rex, a caveman, Egyptian pharaoh, Dracula and Napoleon Bonaparte, but somehow manage to bumble things so badly they end up accidentally killing them, forcing them to find a new boss.

After years of searching they settle to stay in an Antarctic cave, but as the years go by they become bored and depressed.  Kevin, one of the Minions, decide to step out and find their new boss, and brings along guitar player Stu and Bob - because no one else wanted to volunteer - on his trek.

They arrive in America where they attend the Villain-Con and meet the evilest person alive, Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock), who agrees to let them work with her.  She flies them to England and tells them she wants the Queen's crown, and sends the Minions to retrieve it in hopes of her being crowned the new Queen.

The Synopsis:
The Minions are an interesting thing.  They're one of the few sidekicks in a movie that eclipsed the main star.  In the "Despicable Me" movies, you remember the Minions and laugh at their tomfoolery moreso than the main protagonist, and after the rousing success of the first two films, Universal decided to make them front and center.

"Minions" had one of the most aggressive promotional marketing programs ever, as Minions are everywhere - TicTacs, McDonald's toys, even paper towels.  Their commercials are everywhere, and toys are in abundance.  They put Disney to shame, and it seems to have paid off, as it became the second highest grossing animated film during an opening weekend, only behind the very lame "Shrek the Third."  Funny how neither of these animated films were done by Disney.  Anyway, I digress.

One would wonder how a gang of adorable yellow-pill-looking creatures who you can't understand can hold a film, but they did.  You can tell from context what they're talking about, and some words come out clear.  Plus there's a terrific human aspect to the film in Scarlett Overkill and her husband Herb, voiced by the amazingly talented Sandra Bullock (in her first villainous role) and Jon Hamm.  Then there's a family who at first seem like the all-American dream, but of course hide a dangerous side that's done so hilariously you don't even care.

Still, with all the humans around, the heart of the film centers around the three Minions - Kevin, Stu and Bob.  All three have certain characteristics that set them apart from the others.  Kevin is the leader.  Stu is the artistic, laid back Minion.  Bob...Bob is just amazing.  He's the youngest, carries around a stuffed teddy bear, and has a youthful innocence about him that's simply endearing.  Personally he was my favorite.  Together, they seem to harken back to classic schtick shows like The Three Stooges, and they don't have to make sense to us to be funny.  Even though it's touted as a kids movie, I found myself laughing uncontrollably during several parts of the film, and that's a refreshing thing - to make a kids movie that even adults can love.

The Summary:
While not AS funny as the "Despicable Me" movies, "Minions" hold their own as a laugh-out-loud comedy the whole family can enjoy.

The Score: A