Alex Moss EditorMinions & Monsters is the seventh cinematic outing for the diminutive yellow characters and they show no signs of letting up. That’s impressive for a collection of characters who are essentially anthropomorphised TicTacs who speak gibberish, and yet as mad as the concept seems there is a universal, innocent appeal to them.
This time out the Minions head to Hollywood. Having found huge success in the silent era the introduction of sound threatens to derail their burgeoning careers. So far so Singin In The Rain but rather than worry about ever being understood on the big screen the Minions decide to make a monster movie, but they need a monster. So turn to an ancient spellbook to conjure one from beyond.
It’s a strange concept in which both children and parents can be entertained by the mad gibberish of the Minions but this time out you realise why they work. Namely; because they hark back to a Chaplin and Keaton (both getting fun little cameos) era of slapstick entertainment. Indeed the film is at its most enjoyable when trying to spot all the endless film references that are on offer. There are so many that true cinephiles will begin to wonder if they’ve missed some or if the filmmakers have missed obvious ones. In one instance the Minions are attacked by a shark, three yellow Minions at sea with a great white shark. It feels rife for a Jaws and the yellow buoys gag but somehow the filmmakers miss it.
The plot is fairly nonsensical. The first half is hugely entertaining in the way it looks at Hollywood through a mad eyeglass but when the Monsters enter the fray the film rapidly loses its way. The final act is so chaotic that it’s hard to really understand or care about what is going on. As such older viewers might find themselves dozing off a bit while the kids sit forward, hypnotised by the technicolour visuals splashed across the screen.
The animation is brilliant though, with some of the visuals marking a clear upgrade from previous installments. One studio head character at one point wipes sweat from his brow and the water is so incredible it feels photorealistic. Throw in a couple of often laugh-out-loud set pieces and Minions & Monsters is a film that always feels creative.
A fun if utterly forgettable and slightly head spinning outing for the Minions who show no signs of letting up, Minions & Monsters is a perfect kids distraction while grownups recover kind of film.
Minions & Monsters
IS OUT NOW ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD
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FROM HMV, AMAZON, ZAVVI & RAREWAVES
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