“Minions,” the 2015 animated feature produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures, is a prequel to the wildly successful “Despicable Me” franchise. The film focuses on the small, yellow, pill-shaped creatures known as Minions, who serve as the loyal (if clumsy) sidekicks to various villains throughout history. The movie traces the origins of these quirky beings, exploring their innate desire to serve the most despicable master they can find. However, what should be an entertaining backstory full of humor and hijinks often feels a little thin, stretched out, and overly reliant on slapstick humor rather than a deeper narrative.
At the heart of “Minions” is the story of these strange creatures’ search for purpose. As the film opens, viewers are treated to an amusing montage of the Minions’ attempts to serve a series of masters throughout history. From tyrannosaurs to Napoleon, the Minions consistently find themselves inadvertently causing the downfall of the very individuals they are supposed to assist. After repeatedly failing in their efforts, the Minions retreat into isolation, living in a snowy cave where they gradually sink into depression due to their lack of a suitable villainous master to serve. However, one brave Minion named Kevin decides to take matters into his own hands and, together with the rebellious Stuart and the innocent Bob, sets off on a journey to find a new master.
The premise of the film is fun, but it also sets up a significant challenge. The Minions, who were hilarious supporting characters in “Despicable Me,” are now required to carry the entire film on their own. They speak in a bizarre, mostly nonsensical language, which, while endearing in small doses, becomes a little tiresome when it’s the primary mode of communication for the film’s protagonists. The challenge of making the Minions the central characters is compounded by the fact that their humor often relies on physical comedy and slapstick gags. As a result, the film leans heavily on sight gags, pratfalls, and other forms of physical humor, which are amusing but begin to feel repetitive after a while.
Despite these challenges, there are some genuinely funny moments in “Minions.” The opening sequence, in which the Minions bumble their way through history, is one of the highlights of the film. The animation is vibrant and dynamic, and the filmmakers have clearly had a lot of fun imagining how the Minions might have interacted with various historical figures. The sequence featuring Napoleon’s downfall, in particular, is a great example of how the film can mix history with humor in clever ways.
Once the main plot kicks into gear, the Minions find themselves in New York City in the late 1960s. This setting provides ample opportunity for the filmmakers to indulge in some playful nods to the culture and style of the era. From the music to the fashion, the 1960s aesthetic is lovingly recreated and adds a layer of visual charm to the film. The Minions eventually hear about a Villain-Con taking place in Orlando, Florida, and set off on a road trip to find their next master.
Villain-Con is a fun concept that allows for some creative character designs and gags. It’s here that the Minions meet Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, who is eager to recruit the Minions as her henchmen. Scarlet is an enjoyable character, bringing a touch of old-school villainy to the proceedings, and Bullock clearly has fun with the role. However, like much of the film, Scarlet’s character is more of a one-dimensional caricature than a fully realized villain. Her motivations are fairly straightforward—she wants to steal the British crown and become the queen of England—but the film doesn’t spend much time fleshing out her character or her backstory.
After being recruited by Scarlet, the Minions travel to England, where the film’s second half unfolds. The plot becomes somewhat episodic, with the Minions bungling their way through various heist sequences as they attempt to help Scarlet achieve her goal of stealing the crown. While there are some entertaining set pieces, including a fun sequence involving Bob accidentally becoming king of England, the film struggles to maintain momentum. The lack of a strong narrative arc means that the film feels more like a series of loosely connected sketches than a cohesive story.
One of the main strengths of “Minions” is its visual design. The animation is bright, colorful, and energetic, with a keen attention to detail that helps bring the world of the Minions to life. The characters are expressive, and the filmmakers make good use of the Minions’ physical comedy skills to keep the action moving. The 1960s setting is also well-realized, with plenty of visual nods to the era’s fashion, architecture, and technology. The film’s use of music is another highlight, with a soundtrack featuring popular songs from the 1960s that help to set the tone and add a layer of nostalgia for older viewers.
However, while the film is visually appealing and often amusing, it lacks the emotional depth that made the “Despicable Me” films so successful. In those films, the Minions served as comic relief while the central story focused on Gru’s transformation from villain to loving father. That emotional core gave the audience a reason to care about the characters and their journey. In “Minions,” there is no such emotional throughline. The film is all about the Minions’ quest for a master, but because the Minions themselves are fairly one-dimensional characters, it’s difficult to become invested in their journey on anything more than a superficial level.
Another issue with “Minions” is its pacing. The film moves at a brisk pace, which helps to keep things lively, but it also means that there is little time for character development or meaningful plot progression. The film often jumps from one set piece to the next without giving the audience much time to breathe or reflect on what’s happening. As a result, the film feels somewhat shallow and frenetic, lacking the depth and heart that might have made it more memorable.
The voice acting in “Minions” is solid, with Sandra Bullock delivering a fun performance as Scarlet Overkill. Jon Hamm, who voices Scarlet’s husband, Herb, also provides some amusing moments, though his character is similarly underdeveloped. The rest of the voice cast, including Michael Keaton and Allison Janney, do their best with the material, but the script doesn’t give them much to work with. Ultimately, the film is carried by the Minions themselves, whose antics provide most of the entertainment.
“Minions” is a film that will likely appeal to younger viewers, who will enjoy the fast-paced action and silly humor. The Minions are undeniably cute, and their slapstick comedy will keep children entertained for the film’s runtime. However, for older viewers, the film may feel somewhat lacking. While there are some funny moments and clever visual gags, the film’s reliance on physical comedy and its lack of a strong emotional core mean that it doesn’t have the same staying power as other animated films.
In comparison to other animated films released around the same time, “Minions” falls short of the mark. Pixar’s “Inside Out,” for example, was released in the same year and received widespread acclaim for its innovative storytelling, emotional depth, and thoughtful exploration of complex themes. “Minions,” by contrast, feels more like a lightweight, disposable piece of entertainment. It’s fun in the moment, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
That being said, “Minions” does have its moments of charm, and it’s clear that the filmmakers put a lot of effort into creating a visually appealing and entertaining film. The animation is top-notch, and the world of the Minions is brought to life with a great deal of creativity and energy. The film also benefits from its playful tone and its willingness to embrace the absurdity of its premise. There is something undeniably amusing about watching the Minions bumble their way through history, causing chaos wherever they go.
Ultimately, “Minions” is a film that works best as a light, family-friendly comedy. It doesn’t have the depth or emotional resonance of the “Despicable Me” films, but it delivers plenty of laughs and visual spectacle. For younger audiences, the film’s colorful animation and silly humor will likely be enough to keep them entertained. For older viewers, the film’s lack of narrative complexity and emotional depth may make it feel somewhat forgettable, but there are still enough clever gags and fun moments to make it worth a watch.