Minions, 2015.
Directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin.
Featuring the voice talents of Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Steve Carell, Geoffrey Rush and Jennifer Saunders.
SYNOPSIS:
Unbeknownst to us all, the Minions have been roaming the Earth for millions of years, searching far and wide for their one true master, the most evil villain. Approximately one year “pre-Gru”, one such journey led them to the beautiful but deadly Scarlett Overkill, whose obsession with the British Queen sends the Minions on a quest to steal the Crown.
Continuing the inspired story of Despicable Me’s show-stealing sidekicks, the Minions movie spins off their story and takes us on a ride from the dawn of time as they search continuously for a master worthy of their servitude. From the T-Rex to Napoleon and the Abominable Snowman, they each fail to prove their mastery at evilness, and the Minions move on.
It’s 1965, in the height of the flower child movement, and three Minions (Kevin, Bob, and Stuart) go on a mission from the Arctic to a wondrous place called “Villain-Con” – like Comic Con, but for villains, complete with panels, stalls, autograph signings, and merchandise.
Headlining the con is Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), a clever and manipulative supervillain with an endless supply of outrageous gadgets designed by her husband Herb (Jon Hamm), who just so happens to be looking for henchmen. The three Minions obviously volunteer, and so impressed is Scarlett that she takes them on straight away, and flies them to her boisterous and flamboyant lair.
Only there’s a tiny problem: the job isn’t actually theirs yet, officially. Not until they sneak into the Tower of London and steal HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s crown.
So boom! Surprise 1960s Britain! The Queen is Jennifer Saunders! The Beatles are walking down Abbey Road, tickets to the Tower cost £1, and Bob accidentally becomes King of England for a day. This, of course, doesn’t sit well with Scarlett, who as her name suggests proceeds to Overkill absolutely everything in a truly inspired ragefest involving, amongst other things, a coronation dress that is also a rocket.
The film’s unique aesthetic continues on the vision of Despicable Me and its sequel, with absolutely ridiculous (but plausible within the universe) weapons and gadgets and of course the concept of Villain-Con, a get-together of everyone who’s anyone in the crime world and an opportunity of fans and lesser criminals to indulge in their nefarious obsessions. Several beloved actors lend their voices to a small legion of characters, including Steve Coogan as a Tower Guard and Professor Flux, Michael Keaton as adorable dad and criminal mastermind Walter Nelson, and Allison Janney as his wife Madge.
But all eyes and ears are of course on the Minions, all voiced by one of the film’s directors, Pierre Coffin. If you enjoyed their antics in the previous films and were amused by their very… particular language (which seems to be a combination of several other languages) – you will definitely enjoy this. It’s a constant barrage of slapstick comedy peppered with Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian and English thrown about in seemingly incoherent sentences which somehow enhance the comedy by about 27% (scientifically speaking).
A fun ride for children and adults alike, which will certainly make for an entertaining day out – though beware, for talking in gibberish is strangely addictive and contagious…
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★
Kat Kourbeti – Follow me on Twitter