Minions The Rise of Gru: Dad Jokes, Bumbling Pill People and '70s References to 'Splain to Your Kids
By John Kirk
Rating: B+
A kid-flick that gives the greenlight to “dad jokes?” Gru-vy.
Bring your own offspring, or borrow someone else’s, because part of the fun of Minions: The Rise of Gru is explaining the ‘70’s references.
Oh, and that joke is pretty much the level of dad-humour you can expect. That is, if you’re of a mind to chuckle for 87 minutes, surrendering yourself to the blundering antics of a cadre of walking yellow amphetamine pills with an inconsistent number of eyes, as they latch themselves to a young and aspiring criminal mastermind.
Stuart, Gru, Bob and Kevin embrace villainy for laughs in Minions: The Rise of Gru.
I give you the backstory of how Gru of the Despicable Me franchise met his loyal and comical army of henchmen, a.k.a., the Minions.
We are taken back to the ‘70’s, when a young dreamer named Gru, intent on world domination, puts out a notice for henchmen. This is how he meets the minions we know and love, led by the familiar Kevin, Stuart and Bob.
We are also introduced to a new, dental braces-wearing minion named Otto. It is at this time that they pledge their fealty to their new “mini-boss.” When Wild Knuckles, the leader of the infamous super-villain group, the Vicious Six, is expelled from their ranks, Gru gets an invitation to join. When he is rejected, he exacts revenge. Gru is now the enemy of the most despicable villain group in the world, which gives him a taste of elevated villainy.
The only criticism one could levy against this film is there are no surprises, good or bad. You know what you’re going to get. To wit: wacky slapstick as the loveable minions wear strange outfits, injure themselves, and otherwise put themselves into humiliating or painful situations on their way to assisting their loyal “mini-boss” (in this film) to accomplish his villainous goals.
But you don’t see a Minions film unless you’re ecstatically anticipating same. I mean, peanut, anyone? Watch the trailer – you’ll see what I meant in the second paragraph.
The first thing that really stands out is the fascinating cast. Along with Steve Carell voicing his despicable childhood self, you have the likes of martial arts and now Star Trek icon, Michelle Yeoh, Alan Arkin, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren and one of my personal favourites, Lucy Lawless.
Add Danny Trejo, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews (who lends her voice talents to the role of Gru’s shrewish and selfish mother). The combination of this array of performers seems random at first glance, but all have moments in the story that add to it in unexpected and entertaining ways.
In the background, the kick-ass “Me Decade” soundtrack that accompanies the film is a pleaser for adults in the room. They get to not only laugh at the antics of the minions, but also explain ‘70’s tropes that a good many will remember - bell bottoms, rotary dial phones and kung fu cinematic imagery all combine to create an enjoyable retro atmosphere. Tracks by the Rolling Stones sung in Minion-ese is an experiential ear-worm that won’t leave your mind for days.
It’s the antic humour set against the retro décor that acts as a common meeting ground for youth and adults to enjoy Minions: The Rise of Gru together. It’s funny on both age levels. And while the previous films set up a range of expectations for viewers, this film has a context that’s mutually approachable for different generations. Watching this with a younger person is definitely recommended.
An interesting feature of the film is that it forces the audience to pay attention to Minion dialogue, voiced by the talented Pierre Coffin. Smatterings of French, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish can be discerned in their gibberish language, giving it a more recognizable meaning and identity. The Minions become more lovable and a little closer to us when their eyes grow wide and they beg: por favor?
And the martial arts training scenes are total kung-fu camp with an appeal that is only improved by Bob’s invulnerable head strikes.
The shaolin might call this style gru-fu. (Last one. I promise.)
Minions: The Rise of Gru. Directed by Kyle Balda. Starring: Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand with Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin. Opens in theatres July 1.