“Minions & Monsters” is the seventh installment in the “Despicable Me” franchise that kicked-off with a heartwarming and highly entertaining 2010 picture that put Illumination on the map and showcased the instant charm of the Minions. They are hilarious and beloved — appealing to people of all ages. Everywhere you go — every store… every arcade… you’re bound to find merchandise featuring Gru’s little yellow assistants with big ambitions. And the makers of these films know that. So why not celebrate the Minions in clever, self-aware ways.
Allison Janney (who voiced Madge in the 2015 “Minions” film) takes-on a new character this time, Olivia, a present-day Hollywood studio tour guide who shares the story of how two Minions — Henry and James — made their mark on Tinseltown in the 1920s. It’s an inspired concept, with memorable opening credits honoring the early days of cinema, visual and voice cameos, and scenes paying tribute to Charlie Chaplin, “Casablanca” and numerous movie genres and styles of filmmaking.
Christoph Waltz is terrific as film director Max. Having a two-time Oscar winner voice this character with great enthusiasm adds to the experience. Shout-out to “South Park”‘s Trey Parker for his voice performance as green monster (with mysterious intentions) Goomi. The storyline of alien robot Dort (Jesse Eisenberg) and suffragette Debbie (Zoey Deutch) is the weakest of the film, though their presence helps tie everything together at the end.
I chuckled often during “Minions & Monsters”, right to the final scene. There are a few laugh out loud moments (including ones involving “Citizen Kane” and the Oscars). The non-cinema-related slapstick sequences are amusing enough. When it comes to my ranking of the seven features, I like “Despicable Me 1 & 2” and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” more, but “Minions & Monsters” is still a major success. These characters get the chance to pat themselves on the back for being entertainment icons — at one point a newsreel narrator states they’re “the biggest stars the world has ever seen” — bringing joy to millions. through the power of the cinematic experience, for more than a decade and a half.
LCJ GRADE: B
Running Time: 88 min.