HOLLYWOOD—It is hard to believe that we have had so many movies involving those tiny monsters, known as ‘Minions’ from the first “Despicable Me” movie. After all the “Despicable Me” sequels and the “Minions” movies, we now have “Minions and Monsters.” Previous “Minions” movies have been funny and deliver the laughs with silly antics. However, “Monsters & Minions” might be the weakest.
The laughs are there, they just do not land as much for me, and that is a result of a narrative that is not quite sure where it wants to go. In previous “Minions” movies it was clear for the audience what is unfolding. With “Minions and Monsters” not so much. Our little yellow, kooky creatures as I like to call them are getting a taste of Hollywood. Yes, there are many minions as there tends to be in other films, but our focal point is on James, Henry, Ed and Dick (all voiced by Pierre Coffin).
James who has a passion for art and filmmaking, and in a penance to help a potential villain, our protagonists intervene with an actual movie that is being shot involving a train robbery. That catches the eye of film executive brothers Frank and Elwood Bright (voiced by Jeff Bridges).
Enter the minions becoming bonafide stars in Hollywood where they star in a sleuth of movies that are a tongue and cheek poke at infamous Hollywood fanfare from the Golden Era of cinema as many of us would like to call it. I will give the movie kudos for highlighting the silent era of cinema, which was much more potent before the introduction of sound in cinema changed everything literally, not just for Hollywood filmmakers, but for the minions draw as stars as well.
This leads to James deciding to flip the script and create his own movie with a focus on the minions fighting massive monsters/creatures. The trio of James, Henry and Ed find themselves duped by Goomie (voice of Trey Parker), who is summoned to help them find creatures to battle, but he has his own sinister plans behind the scenes. This is where “Minions & Monsters” falter. Where are the jokes?
This is a franchise that has been known for slapstick comedy and winks at pop culture, but this movie seriously lacks that in almost all of its entirety. I think I literally chuckled only once throughout the entire movie, and I cannot even recall why I did it. With most animated flicks they tend to be more exciting and fun for the adults, but I worry this movie isn’t that entertaining for kids either. Yes, they might be fascinated by the animation of it all, but the antics just don’t compel you to care as a spectator.
“Minions & Monsters” might be proof that the lore of the separate franchise from “Despicable Me” might have finally run out of steam, and it might be a better pairing to see the minions return to the original staple ground with Gru to deliver the laughs for audiences.
