Minions, the famous characters who resemble yellow amphetamine pills in the Despicable Me series, have a special place in today’s world. Unknown just a few years ago, they are a ‘sign’ of stupidity on social media, while in animated films, they are the reason for spreading laughter. Similarly, Gru, their ‘mini boss’ is famous due to his ‘ambitions’ to rule the world, and, Minions: Rise of Gru, traces the origin of how and why he wanted to be a ‘bad guy’.
Set in the 1970s, a preteen Gru has eyes on becoming a supervillain because his mother doesn’t have time for him. A fan of the infamous notorious group Vicious 6, Gru decides to join them when a ‘vacancy’ appears. Things get out of hand, the ‘not even 12’ Gru snatches a necklace filled with the Zodiac Stones to show his supremacy and runs away from his favourite villains. And when all seems lost for the youngster, he joins hands with the legendary Wild Knuckles, who was left for the dead after a coup in the Vicious 6.
The film revolves around the adventures and misadventures of the Minions, who are shown to have grown fond of Gru after he appeared for the first time in Minions, seven years back. They take it upon themselves to save him when he is kidnapped for stealing the Zodiac Stones by another guy, and when they do find him, they are on their own. However, it is how they reach Gru that’s enjoyable as they fly a passenger plane, ride the famous San Francisco tram and raze a big portion of the city to the ground.
The most interesting aspect of the film is the selection of voice-over actors with Steve Carrell returning as Gru, Julie Andrews as his careless mother, and Pierre Coffin as the voice of all the Minions, including the talkative one Otto. The villains are voiced by veteran and new film actors including Alan Arkins, Dolph Lundgren, Jean Claude Van Damme, and others. Michelle Yeoh also makes her appearance as Master Chow who teaches Kung Fu to the Minions.
And that’s not all, Gru also happens to meet his future colleague Dr Nefario (voiced by Russell Brand) for the first time in the movie which will help young viewers like you connect the dots between Minions and the Despicable Me franchise. Add to that the presence of a rotary dial phone and bell bottoms, and you will be taken back to a time when life was simple and aims and objectives were achievable.
Minions: The Rise of Gru is a fun-filled action-comedy movie, where for the whole 87 minutes, there is no good guy. There is only one message and that is friendship is a solution to all problems. The movie is running in theatres and can be enjoyed with 3D glasses.
Published in Dawn, Young World, July 16th, 2022
