Minions: The Rise of Gru

By Jonah Naplan

June 30, 2022

What exactly is “Minions: The Rise of Gru?” Well, that question can be answered by a fellow critic, who described the newest Illumination movie as a “sequel to a prequel to a trilogy of films.” I would extend that description by adding another key detail: a “sequel to a prequel to a multi-billion dollar trilogy of films.” This is the fifth installment in the “GCU,” otherwise known as “The Gru Cinematic Universe.” But even so, it’s a film so surprisingly light-hearted and hopeful that it’s almost impossible not to appreciate how hard the filmmakers tried to make the kids in the audience laugh. As they say, it’s hard to hate.

I saw “Minions: The Rise of Gru” with my best friend and my brother in 3D tonight. We were so ecstatically pumped. My brother even wore a suit and tie, honoring the TikTok trends recently rotating through my For You Page. The movie theater employees were obsessing over my brother’s getup. One even asked to take a picture of his classy outfit. Clearly, they all knew about the latest fad in pop culture. When we approached the booth to have our tickets scanned, the attendant instantly knew what movie we were seeing without hesitation. I have another friend who went and saw the film with his dad earlier today, in matching suits and ties. I wonder with amusement if he got the same reaction that my brother did.

This new phenomenon is easy enough to understand. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” is just another entry in the recent string of films that people seem to ironically love watching and talking about. This past April’s “Morbius,” for example, has been ripped to shreds by critics, yours truly included, but has been comically referenced and memed upon by the generation of young people everywhere. This isn’t a bad thing. It just sort of suggests that studios need to be generally more cognizant of what their audiences want and what they like to post about on social media. But Harkins Scottsdale 101 14 has certainly been paying attention.

It’s sometime in the 1970’s. Gru (Steve Carell) is attempting to become a part of the Vicious 6, a team of villains who recently ousted their sixth member/leader, the legendary and ruthless fighter, Wild Knuckles, a surprisingly competent Alan Arkin. But the young schemer ruins his chances of ever being a part of their alliance when he steals a prized medallion and speeds away on his motorcycle with the whole crew of powerful villains right on his tails. As shown in the trailer, a mix-up occurs along the way, causing the medallion to be swapped with a pet rock, and well, more chaos ensues, involving kung fu, a chase across the desert, and a few surprising cameos from familiar faces, that sure had our group cheering in excitement.

At this point in my life, I’m no longer the target audience for this type of movie. But that’s actually what elevates “Minions: The Rise of Gru” above other kid-centered animation, and it’s the same reason why just as many grown men are going to see this movie as children. The film radiates nostalgia from a time when Minions were the most popular new thing in the kids entertainment industry. I grew up watching the first two Despicable Me movies, and saw both the first “Minions” and “Despicable Me 3” in the theater. These movies hold a special place in my heart. And this is the most respectful installment in the GCU yet. It feels like a real "Despicable Me" movie. In other words, this is the “Top Gun: Maverick” of the "Minions" franchise.

But beyond that, the movie doesn’t even have the trademark poop and fart Illumination humor. The film’s jokes are actually funny, and will satisfy both kids and the adults that got dragged along with them. Some of it is actually clever. The film begins with a titles sequence that pays homage to the James Bond gun barrel openings, and then the opening credits that follow. The movie knows where it’s coming from and is eager to honor it.

One of the villains in particular made me laugh whenever she was onscreen. Her name is Nun-Chuck. She’s a nun with nunchucks. Get it? Of course you do. There was one moment in particular that provided the movie’s biggest laugh, when Nun-Chuck rose through a hole in the ceiling. I won’t say anymore than that. But really all the villains are pretty darn unforgettable. I mean, the legendary Jean-Claude Van Damme plays an assumedly genetically mutated lobster man named Jean Clawed. And Dolph Lundgren plays a dainty gentleman named Svengeance. Isn’t film great?

This is not a perfect movie. In fact, it’s very far from it. But it surprised me more than I could ever imagine. When the movie finished, my friend, my brother, and I applauded ironically. But was it ironic? Maybe not. The movie was just despicable enough for me.