Cool Britannia goes bananas for this spin-off
The Minions
FOR a spin-off, Minions could not have wished for a more potent wind-up. Despicable Me (2010) and its sequel gained popularity largely because of the comical, eggyolk-hued and capsule-shaped helpers of supervillain Gru.
Blabbing in their own tongue, they were the perfect Laurel and Hardy sidekicks to the needlenosed anti-hero.
This film multiplies the essence of squishy cuteness that made them adorable in the Despicable Me films and splurges it wildly in a mix of vivid scenery.
Few animations have been able to rival the Parisian cityscape of Disney’s Ratatouille in the eight years since it came out, but The Minions’ environmental renderings ascend to a greater plateau. In 3-D it is spectacular.
The scenery re-imagines the vibrancy of a swinging ’60s London, where Stuart, Kevin and Bob are tasked with representing the larger Minion populace and finding a fittingly despicable villain to serve; without one, Minions lead a purposeless existence.
The trio settle on Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock), a Britloving Yank triple-A-lister of the villain world. To be worthy lackeys, however, they need to steal Queen Elizabeth’s crown for Scarlett. She wishes to fulfil her childhood dream of being a princess and ruling the world, of course.
The pursuit of the crown unfolds with the expected high jinks, while popular references to this era of cool Britannia surprise like popping sherbet.
Throughout, an affinity for the trio steadily develops as their individual characters burst through their denim dungarees and bouncy rubbery exteriors. It’s a fantastic introduction to the Minion world. Expect a sequel. — Keith Tamkei LS