Minions: The Rise of Gru - Another Hilarious Adventure of Those Funny Minions

After playing in theaters for few days, my wife and I finally went to see this movie in the theater near our home yesterday. We decided to do it on Saturday as we were unable to make it due to conflicting schedule during the weekdays. OK, let's get to the movie now.

Brief Story Line

Set in the year 1976, the world was being terrorized by a group of super villains called Vicious Six that included among others the leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin - Spenser Confidential, The Kominsky Method TV series etc) and Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson - Ralph Breaks the Internet, The Karate Kid 2010 version etc). 

Meanwhile the minions (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) now serving the 10 year old Gru (Steve Carell - Evan Almighty, The Forty Year Old Virgin etc) who was looking for ways to become the next super villain despite the irritation of his mother (Julie Andrews - Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music etc) on those minions. So obviously Gru was excited when he got the invitation to join the notorious Vicious Six.

However things were not progressing as Gru expected, and he was getting involved in something dangerous where he would need the help from the minions. So how would the story conclude? You can find them all in this fun animated comedy movie.

End of Brief Story Line

Just like in the previous movies in the Despicable Me & Minions franchise, the main attraction of this film was the funny small yellow minions who seemed to talk gibberish but somehow other people understood. Btw, the audience in our studio including me and my wife noticed that there were few Indonesian language words used by Bob. This time the minions who were already serving Gru were starting to build his lair and it was always fun to see them behaving like small children while trying to please Gru, in particular Kevin, Stuart, Bob and later Otto (my wife's new favorite).

The story itself to me was not the main attraction as it tend to be a bit ridiculous. But for those who just want to watch these minions doing absurd stunts, there is no complaint as they were shown many times where we all could not help laughing. Even the villains have got some hilarious names as well (which I am going to let you find out yourselves). What I really liked aside from those minions was the animation that to me were very well done. The animators really did great job. There were some actions in here that were quite entertaining, like the fights and the bicycle chase scenes, plus the realistic 1970s settings with the outfit and hairdo.

In addition, there were plenty of big names as support cast such as Jean-Claude Van Damme (The Last Mercenary, Street Fighter etc), Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess TV series etc), Dolph Lundgren (Aquaman, The Expendables movies etc) and Danny Trejo - Storks, Spy Kids movies etc) as members of the Vicious Six, plus RZA (The Man with the Iron Fist etc) as a side character. One of the main cast was the famous Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings etc) whose role seemed to be created just for her and also provided big laughs, especially when she was involved with Kevin, Stuart & Bob. Oh and you might not want to miss few characters who you would have been familiar with in the previous Despicable Me movies.

This movie was co-directed by Kyle Balda (The Lorax, Minions) together with Brad Ableson & Jonathan del Val. It also had few songs that gave strong 70s vibes which suit the film's period perfectly. As a sequel to the 2015 movie, I think this one smartly inserted some of the references to the Despicable Me movies which were set in the future. So let's see which period they are going to show in the third Minions movie. Btw, during the closing credits there was an interesting scene and some brief funny animations.

Overall, this was a fun-filled movie where you could just enjoy yourselves by having some good laughs. It was classified for all ages in Indonesia and PG in the US, which means you are welcome to see it with your children. My wife and I were entertained and left the studio feeling happy after seeing the minions going on adventures all the way to San Francisco (with whatever means necessary that was just ridiculously funny) and assisting Gru. So if you are looking for some fun, then this is the movie for you. As long as you are not worried about the plot/premise and just go along with it, you will surely like it just as we did.

Mike's movie moments rating: 4 out of 5 stars