7/1/22 – PG – 1h 27m – Universal Pictures Illumination Entertainment

Alan: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Michelle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Minions: The Rise of Gru shows Gru when he was an 11 year old youngster in the 1970s. He already had his crew of minions helping him pull off heists. His application to join the gang of supervillains he idolizes lands him an interview. But the gang didn’t realize he was just a child. At the interview they mock him and tell him to come back when he has stolen something important. So he steals something important from the villainous gang. Chaos ensues as the villains chase Gru down and the minions come to Gru’s rescue.

Alan: This was a fun movie. It has a lot of pop culture references from the 70’s that kids probably won’t get, but their Gen X parents will. 

Michelle: Minions and Gru movies have a style that is fun to watch. They mock villains but don’t descend to insults. The music is always top notch. The gadgets and vehicles are imaginative and entertaining. The minions are the cutest little yellow creatures that bring chaos while helping Gru. 

Alan: I always feel bad for the minions because they are under-appreciated by Gru. Yes, they make a lot of mistakes but they are so earnest in wanting to do the right thing but they never give up, and they are indestructible. Any villain would be lucky to have them.

Michelle: Minions: The Rise of Gru is everything one expects in an excellent kids movie. It was entertaining all the way through, had good music, and had fun references for the adults,  and I would watch it again if kids wanted to watch it again. Five stars.

Alan: I always underestimate the minions movies, and they always greatly exceed my expectations. I really enjoyed watching this. It has jokes for the kids and for the adults. It has a story with heart. I give it five stars too.