The Minions have risen to astonishing heights since Sergio Pablos birthed what would become the franchise some 12 years ago — if you’ve lost count, their progeny includes three feature sequels (one…
creation that adults will not just put up with but can actually enjoy up to a point, thanks in large measure to the cheeky counter-culture jokes, hilariously tweaked wardrobes, riffs on biker culture and a ’70s-era soundtrack; at one point, a major villain pops into a booth at a record store to restore his self-worth by listening to Linda Ronstadt’s “You’re No Good.”
But while amusement such as this is amply sprinkled around throughout the film, which is also strikingly well designed and animated, there is also a gathering sense of running on fumes here, of continuing the exploits of some highly remunerative characters just because it’s financially worth it, not because inspiration demands it.
Since last seen, the Vicious Six have been experiencing some disruptions, the latest being the ouster of one of them, Alan Arkin’s Wild Knuckles. This unexpected opening inspires Gru to apply for the job—“I want to be a supervillain!,” he loudly proclaims—but when he’s rejected, new strategies must be found.
He takes his revenge by stealing the gang’s most prized possession, the Zodiac Stone, and is immediately pursued by both Wild Knuckles and the gang, who at this diminished point consist of the felicitously named Belle Bottom , Stronghold , Nunchuck , Svengeance and Jean-Clauded .shifts into nonstop action mode, hightailing it to the heart of the decades-ago San Francisco counterculture.
It almost goes without saying that the visuals are sharp, imaginative and witty, sometimes even more so than the dialogue, not to say that the colorful voice cast doesn’t do a first-rate job. No doubt Gru will return for more rounds now that he’s risen.
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