245. Minions: The Rise of Gru; movie review

 

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

Cert U

87 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild comic violence, very mild scary scenes, rude humour, language

Remember when movies at the cinema were so fresh they had a wow factor?

Nowadays, the majority of films have well-worn characters and the exciting has become the humdrum.

This summer, there is hardly anything new about mainstream cinema. It has the feeling of the BBC or ITV during a strike - just a clutch of repeats filling time.

Minions The Rise Of Gru is the latest in a franchise whose original picture was so vibrant and funny 12 years ago.

It seems the series is now aimed solely at bringing in the big bucks and, only in that regard, its latest episode doesn't disappoint.

Incredibly, Steve Carell earned a reported $12.5m for lending his voice to Gru - work even he describes as "the easiest thing in the world."

He barely changes his tone from previous films despite this one harking back to when his character was just a wannabe villain and still at school.

His heroes are the Vicious Six - a notorious gang, led by Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson) who are looking for a new member after usurping their former boss (Alan Arkin).

Gru has big ideas and is, of course, supported by the Minions but is scorned by his heroes when he applies to be one of them.

So, he sets about another plan which inevitably causes chaos and the Minions make things worse when they attempt to help.

As said, the entire problem with Kyle Balda's movie is the sense of 'been there, seen that.'

I simply can't laugh at Carell's Gru or find any mirth in the minions any more.

I am sure those who have never seen a Despicable Me spin-off before may feel differently.

But I was bored and Mrs W made her comment more subtly than a caustic review. She fell asleep.

Reasons to watch: The minions are sort of cute

Reasons to avoid: If you have no child with you

Laughs: Two chuckles

Jumps: None

Vomit: Off-screen

Nudity: A yellow bare bottom

Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? This is Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme's sixth movie together.

The final word. Steve Carell: "They're really good family movies. They're not condescending to children either, and that's one of the reasons I signed on to do these. When I read the first script, and I saw all the artwork, I was like, there's a little danger here, and kids love that…”. Odeon

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