Hollywood Insider - News Entertainment & Culture

Substance & Meaningful Entertainment

Against Gossip & Scandal

Independent Media Network

Global Stories From Local Perspective

Factual Culture News

The Hollywood Insider Minions 2 The Rise of Gru Review

Photo: ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’

Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me’ franchise has become one of the most beloved animated properties in recent years.  The first film made its release in 2010, followed by ‘Despicable Me 2’ and ‘Despicable Me 3’ in 2013 and 2017 respectively.  A major factor in the franchise’s success was the presence of its charmingly wacky side characters: the Minions.  These characters light up the screen whenever they appear and bring a rare type of forceful comedic energy at a hundred miles per hour that just works too well.  For this reason, many assumed that giving these characters their own spinoff made perfect sense.  Thus, we got 2015’s ‘Minions’, a prequel to the franchise centered around the characters themselves. While the film hit the billion-dollar mark, it did not necessarily meet the same standards as its predecessors quality-wise.  This was likely due to the possibility that maybe the Minions, while great supporting characters, are not fit to carry their own film.

Related video: Full Commentary – Cast & Crew Spills Secrets on Making of ‘Elvis’ | In-Depth Scoop | Austin Butler

Related video: Full Rendezvous At the Premiere of ‘Elvis’ with Reactions from Stars | Austin Butler, Baz Luhrmann

Related video: Come Behind The Scenes of ‘Elvis’ | Austin Butler, Tom Hanks and Baz Luhrmann

Related video: Full Rendezvous at the World Premiere of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ | Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman

Related video: Full Commentary – Cast & Crew Spills Secrets on Making of ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ | In-Depth Scoop

Related Video: Full Commentary on ‘Top Gun: Maverick’: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller

Related video: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Full Premiere Reactions: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller

Related video: EVOLUTION: Every Tom Cruise Role From 1981 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant

Kevin, Stuart, and Bob have officially shut the naysayers up, as ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ puts those thoughts to rest.  The film, though not quite up to the same quality as the ‘Despicable Me’ films, brings back some of the humor, heart, and madness we have come to love the Minions for. Additionally, the Minions were actually given an undertaking and journey of their own, allowing the audience to follow them throughout the entire hour-and-a-half runtime.  As mentioned, there are some moments where the film could have been stronger, but it is still a fun moviegoing experience where the over-the-top nature of its protagonists becomes a strength instead of a detriment.  

Steve Carell Spill Secrets on ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’

Great Voice Acting And A Simple Story

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ is directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, and Jonathan del Val.  It stars Pierre Coffin as the voice of all the Minions as well as Steve Carell as a twelve-year-old Gru.  The film also features the voice talents of Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Alan Arkin, Julie Andrews, and Jean-Claude Van Damme (as a character with lobster claws for arms named Jean Clawed).  Each actor superbly brought their characters to life and seemed to enjoy the zany nature infused in this world. Coffin’s voice works for all the Minions was never short of hilarious.  On the surface, this may not seem like much of a role to take on as many assume that the dialogue of these characters is nothing more than incoherent babble.  This is actually not true as the Minions have their own form of communication called Minionese, which is a mix of French, Spanish, and other languages.  Words and phrases from many of these languages can be heard spoken by the Minions throughout the film.  Collins’ voice work should be commended for this reason.  

Related article: A Tribute to Johnny Depp: The Actor and Musician Who Defined Range

Related video: EVOLUTION: Every Johnny Depp Role From 1984 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant

Related article: A Tribute to the Hero & President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Comedian/Actor, Ukraine’s President and Heroic Leader

Related video: Full Commentary from Cast & Crew on ‘Lightyear’ | Making of & Reactions

Related video: Rendezvous at the World Premiere of ‘Lightyear’ | Chris Evans, Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi

Related Video: OSCAR-NOMINATED – EXCLUSIVE: ‘Dune’ Full Commentary, Reactions, Making Of – Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac

Related Video: OSCAR-NOMINATED – ‘House of Gucci’ Full Commentary & Behind the Scenes – Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino

Some of the moments where the film slowed down a bit were when it actually focused on the story itself, particularly when the characters are known as The Vicious Six, a group of super villains, appear on the screen.  They are by no means boring and there are moments where the characters do bring excitement and energy, however, a bit more motivation could have been put into the actions they take, particularly in the opening sequence.  The very beginning was a bit slow as a handful of time passes until we finally see Gru or the Minions, which is where the film starts to pick up.  The story overall was not very complex, yet it did not need to be.  It did feature some unique narrative points that took the plot in directions that were not too predictable.  

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ – Exemplary Animation That Allowed The Minions To Carry The Movie

The animation in this film was vivid enough to bring this world to life, yet it still maintained the cartoonish feel that allows the Minions to shine. The action sequences featured were also fun enough to watch and were easy to keep track of.  But what audiences can appreciate about this particular style of animation is how it enables the Minions to actually lead their own film as protagonists without diminishing the wacky and unapologetically silly nature we love them for.

Come Behind the Scenes of ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’

Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Henry Cavill Role From 2001 to 2021, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant

Related article: EVOLUTION: Every Chris Evans Role From 1997 to 2020, All Performances Exceptionally Poignant

Related article: #metoo Revolution: Powerful Questions That Need Answers

Related article: FACT-CHECKED Series: Timothee Chalamet and 32 Facts about The Young Superstar

Related article: MUST WATCH – The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s Love Letter to Black Lives Matter – VIDEO

Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here.

Related article: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | Hollywood Insider

As opposed to the first film in 2015, this movie gave the Minions an actual goal to accomplish with their own motivation for doing so, that being they love Gru and are forever grateful to him for inviting them into his home and his life.  The film revolves primarily around Kevin, Bob, and Stuart as they attempt to right the wrongs of fellow Minion, Otto, who is also working to win back Gru’s approval.  This does not come at the expense of why audiences fell in love with the Minions in the first place.  In this film, their nonsensical nature becomes a strength that advances the story instead of an egregiously, overused, comedic tool.  Their antics never wear off or become boring.  A big reason for this is because the Minions continuously utilize one of the main key elements of effective comedy: surprise.  Just when we think Kevin, Bob, or Stuart might do one thing, they end up doing something completely different and bonkers.  This formula accomplished its goal as it evoked a laugh every time it was used.  

Related article: Why Queen Elizabeth II Is One Of The Greatest Monarchs | Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of United Queendom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland (Video Insight)

Limited Time Offer – FREE Subscription to The Hollywood Insider

Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy.

Related article: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase: “The Importance of Venice Film Festival as the Protector of Cinema”

Related article: The Masters of Cinema Archives: The Hollywood Insider Pays Tribute to ‘La Vie En Rose’, Exclusive Interview with Director Olivier Dahan

Related article: – Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY

Conclusion

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’, while not quite on the same level of quality as the ‘Despicable Me’ films, is a hilarious and enjoyable addition to the franchise and one that will at the very least keep audiences laughing throughout its entirety.  The animation is stellar and the story, while containing a few beats that drag a bit long, is unique and charming enough to make viewers care about the characters.  This movie is a fun trip to the theaters and a slap in the face to all the haters of Kevin, Stuart, and Bob (who might literally do just that). 

Cast: Pierre Coffin, Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Alan Arkin, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Jean-Claude Van Damme

Written by: Matthew Fogel, Brian Lynch

Directed by: Kyle Balda, Brad Abelson, Jonathan del Val

By Nader Chamas

Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.

I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV. media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.

More Interesting Stories From The Hollywood Insider

Want GUARANTEED SUCCESS? Remove these ten words from your vocabulary| Transform your life INSTANTLY

A Tribute to Martin Scorsese: A Complete Analysis of the Life and Career of the Man Who Lives and Breathes Cinema 

Do you know the hidden messages in ‘Call Me By Your Name’? Find out behind the scenes facts in the full commentary and In-depth analysis of the cinematic masterpiece

A Tribute To The Academy Awards: All Best Actor/Actress Speeches From The Beginning Of Oscars 1929-2019 | From Rami Malek, Leonardo DiCaprio To Denzel Washington, Halle Berry & Beyond | From Olivia Colman, Meryl Streep To Bette Davis & Beyond

In the 32nd Year Of His Career, Keanu Reeves’ Face Continues To Reign After Launching Movies Earning Over $4.3 Billion In Total – “John Wick”, “Toy Story 4”, “Matrix”, And Many More

Author

  • Nader Chamas

    Nader Chamas is an aspiring television writer who seeks to fuse thought provoking progressive ideals into the films, shows, and stories that he loves. Having graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting, Nader seeks to use his writing to advance causes that do not get enough attention or input across mainstream media. Like most, Nader has his own share of his favorite franchises and stories across pop culture. However, he seeks to contribute timely and relevant topics into these stories as well as in his own original material. This is why Nader’s analysis of popular films and tv shows matches The Hollywood Insider’s practice of discussing entertainment from a socially cognizant and critical perspective.

    View all posts
Website It Up