I was never a big fan of the “Minions”. I believe the only previous movie I’ve seen in a movie theater was the first time you saw them in the first “Despicable Me” movie although I’ve watched parts of the sequels and the spinoff “Minions” movies on television. The yellow, capsule-shaped creatures known for their child-like behavior, language (a mix of English, a little French, maybe a little Italian, and a whole lot of babbling), goggles (some have one eye and others have two), and blue overalls were never that funny to me. However, this new movie had something that interested me. It’s about the early days of the movie industry. One thing I read said the movie is “full of movie humor and references.” I’m a sucker for movies about the movie industry so I decided to see it in a movie theater.
The previous “Minions” movies show that before the Minions met Gru (star of the “Despicable Me” movies who has a cameo during the end credits of this movie), they searched the world looking for a “big boss” that they can work for. Unfortunately, they either severely injure or kill every “big boss” they come across, including a sorcerer. They accidentally summon a demon that kills the sorcerer and then takes the sorcery book when they leave (more about that later).
Eventually they arrive in Hollywood where they inadvertently stumble onto a movie set of a director named Max (voiced by Christoph Waltz). Max falls in loves them – especially since they are virtually indestructible (as far as I know, a Minion has NEVER been killed) – and puts them in his movies. The studio bosses (a version of the Warner Bros named Frank and Elwood – both voiced by Jeff Bridges) also love them because they literally work for bananas.
The Minions quickly become movie stars until the start of sound in movies derails their careers. The Minions’ voices in movies aren’t appealing (although most people seem to understand what they’re saying) so they’re fired. Most of the Minions go back to looking for a new “big boss” – a metallic suit person named Dort (voiced by Jessie Eisenberg) – who gets sidetracked when he falls in love with Debbie (voiced by Zoey Deutch).
3 of the Minions – James, Henry, and Ed – stay behind because they have an idea. They want to create a “Minions vs Monsters” movie. That movie won’t require much talking. The only problem is that they don’t have a monster. They open the (previously mentioned) sorcerers spell book and summon what they think is a giant monster – but all they get is Goomi (voiced by Trey Parker) who is smaller than they are. Goomi takes them to where there can find BIG monsters. After they unfreeze a couple monsters (like the movie “The Thing”) named Phillip and Howard (voiced by Bobby Moynihan and Phil LaMarr), Goomi’s real plan is revealed. He needs the other monsters to help him summon the giant monster that will destroy the entire world. A “blob” like creature with hundreds of eyeballs they call “Irene” (get it – “EYE-rene”). Irene grows bigger every time she eats Minions (who don’t die inside her), things, cars, and eventually buildings. It’s up to the Minions to stop Irene from eating the entire world.
I will admit that there is A TON of funny movie references in this movie – including a cameo from someone who does the voice of himself. In fact, I believe I missed some movie references because there were so many. However, most of the jokes in this movie – Minions jokes – aren’t that funny to me. Also, although the movie is called “Minions and Monsters”, almost all the monsters aren’t scary, and they aren’t funny.
If you’re a Minion fan, you’ll probably love this movie. If you’re a movie fan like I am, you may like this movie. I slightly recommend it.
Overall – 6 out of 10.
LOS ANGELES FILM REVIEW 