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Minions (3D)

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The Minions and Scarlett Overkill (Universal Pictures)
The Minions and Scarlett Overkill (Universal Pictures)

What it’s about:

Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

What we thought

Our reviewer:

There are not many animation movies out there at the moment so I was very excited that the yellow creatures of Despicable Me had their own spinoff set in the 1960s. And if you were fans of the original movie you would know these creatures are Gru's little adorable henchmen that assist him in all his evil shenanigans.

Side note, this movie is obviously a long time before they met the famous Gru from Despicable Me.

The movie follows the adorable yellow gibberish-speaking minions that evolve through the ages and begin one mission, to find the perfect evil boss to work for. After numerous failed attempts, it’s up to the brave trio, Kevin, Stuart and Bob to save the minions and find a new badass boss.

We’re taken on a wild adventure from New York to Orlando to England where they meet Scarlett Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock. Here they go through bells and whistles to become the henchmen of the world’s first-ever female super villain.

Looking back at the original movie, I have to admit; Minions left me disappointed. The plot was very unevenly paced and after a while I was starring into space. Yikes!

The half formed plot and the fact that the minions were just everywhere was part of the problem. There was no focus on the characters or getting to know them better, which I was hoping to see, as main characters. I could only take so much 'happy accidents' before it became redundant.

The balance of humour, heart and laughter, that Despicable Me has, just wasn't there.

Which left me thinking, maybe sidekicks aren't supposed to be main characters?

Sandra Bullock also wasn’t quite up to the challenge as an evil villain. On paper the lines might have been funny, but it didn't deliver, as it should have. Was she even evil? I think I've heard scarier voices down the street.

With that being said, the laughter in the movie house was shrieking (thanks to the kids) and I have no doubt that they will love it. After all, the minions are silly creatures who end up accidentally doing everything right somehow.

There were a few LOL moments but the entire movie was inconsistent in that department.

Should there be a second movie? Definitely not! But this just makes me love Despicable Me and even the sequel, a whole lot more.

But you don't have to take my word for it. I got an 'expert' on everything animated from my nine-year-old sister who eagerly wrote her review below.

Our nine-year-old critic:

Hannah Groenewald

Grade 3

I thought the Minions was the funniest, silliest and cutest little movie I have watched in a while. My favourite part was when Stuart (my favourite little Minion) rocked out and broke the guitar the Queen of England gave him as a prize for being brave on the journey. And yes, in case you were wondering I would definitely see it again. I liked the beginning just as much as I liked the end. The movie was ridiculously awesome. I would give it 4/5 minions.

To sum it all up I think the movie is the perfect school holiday treat to take the kids to. It's definitely not the best animation I've seen but it’s not a complete disaster (parents be aware). I think Kevin, Stuart and Bob's cuteness and overall mindless behaviour might have just saved them.

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