Tag Archives: The Minions

DESPICABLE ME 3 (2017): The Thing I Liked…

Despicable Me 3 (2017), Steve Carell (Gru)
Despicable Me 3 (2017), Steve Carell (Gru)

I never, ever thought I’d say this, but it’s official, the minion magic no longer works on me. The minions are not even in Despicable Me 3 that much but long gone is the version of myself that would literally squeal with delight at the mere sight of them. Now they’re more like a favourite song played over and over again that I can kind of no longer stand.

I actually found myself adequately bored in parts as I watched Despicable Me 3. The main reason being, my favourite moments in the movie were the ones I already saw in the teaser trailer with the Michael Jackson loving super villain, months earlier. One of the newest things in this instalment, namely the introduction of one of Gru’s relatives unfortunately felt a little too much like a desperate attempt to find any reason, any reason at all to keep the franchise going.

Just to be clear, I’m definitely not saying that Despicable Me 3 is terrible, generally speaking. I’m saying that I didn’t love it because it felt tired and I’m over all the characters; most surprisingly to myself, I’m tired of the minions.

Immediately below are just some of the thoughts that went through my mind as the credits rolled. In some ways, I really should have known.

‘What was I thinking?’

‘Why was I looking forward to this when I knew that I never really enjoyed the first two Despicable Me movies anyway?’

‘I simply must have forgotten that the minions were the ones I really loved (back then) – not super villain Gru and his children.’

If you’re super intrigued, watch it and see how you like Despicable Me 3.

Happy Film Loving

G

MINIONS (2015): For Their General Adorableness & Super Joy Inducing Qualities

Minions (2015), Stuart, Kevin, Bob (Pierre Coffin)
Minions (2015), Stuart, Kevin, Bob (Pierre Coffin)

Minions is the film I had been waiting and hoping for ever since I saw the first Despicable Me (2010) movie. It was clear for me even then that the minions were the ones I wanted more of.

After spending time dreaming about a minion focused movie, I’m glad to confirm that any fears I had about the end result not being as good as hoped were a complete waste of time.

Directed by Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin and written by Brian Lynch, my favourite thing about Minions besides the adorableness of the yellow, banana loving and happiness inducing beauties is the fact that this time, the audience got to know more about the minions. You learn more of their story, from how they they came to where those blue dungarees to the different personalities of the three main minions, Stuart, Kevin and Bob.

Minions (2015), Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), Bob, Kevin, Stuart (Pierre Coffin)
Minions (2015), Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), Bob, Kevin, Stuart (Pierre Coffin)

I haven’t yet met anyone that doesn’t enjoy the minions, though I’m certain that they exist.

I love them so much that I’ve been known to yelp with delight and at head-turning volumes at the sight of them. I was caught off guard with tens of minions plush toys in a busy mall. Looking back, it was quite embarrassing, but who has time for embarrassment, really, when lots of minions soft toys are right in front of you?

Minions (2015), Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), Herb Overkill (John Hamm)
Minions (2015), Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), Herb Overkill (John Hamm)

The film isn’t perfect in the traditional sense but it’s hugely loved nonetheless because it doesn’t need to be nor does it need to follow all the traditional rules.

Watch Minions for a fun adventure that’ll leave you with a sizeable smile on your face, praise for the ending and a prayer for an even better next instalment, should it make sense.

Sandra Bullock is great as super villain Scarlet Overkill. Jon Hamm Allison Janney, Michael Keaton, Pierre Coffin, Steve Koogan and Jennifer Saunders provide some of the the voices that bring the other key characters to life.

Watch it and laugh and smile.

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G