Movie review: Mirth, mayhem, and mishaps mark ‘Minions’

When “Minions’” eponymous yellow critters stole the show in the first “Despicable Me” film back in 2010, nobody could have really predicted just how popular the little fellas would become. While they weren’t the first goofy sidekicks to come down the animated pike, their brand of earnest ineptitude handily won audiences over to the point that many of them have forgotten that “minion” was a word to begin with.

Which brings us to “Minions” (the movie). Unlike 2013’s “Despicable Me 2”, where the banana-obssessed creatures’ increased presence distracted from the main plot, this film, as the name suggests, officially puts them front and center. And, seeing as “Despicable Me’s” creators pretty much ended their main character’s narrative in his first adventure, the shift in focus is a welcome one. Now, the audience doesn’t have to suffer through forced attempts to further Gru’s storyline, and can just concentrate on what they really came to see: more minions.

The film starts with a Geoffrey Rush-narrated introduction to the minions, charting their evolution from single-celled organisms to the hapless, denim-clad henchmen they would eventually become. Through a rapid-fire slapstick montage that set the tone for the film that followed, we learn that the Minions’ entire existence has been predicated around finding and serving the biggest, baddest, boss they can find. Unfortunately for the Minions’ job security, however, their attempts to help result —more often that not—in their employers’ untimely demise.

Eventually, the Minions strike out and form their own civilization, only to discover that being independent doesn’t agree with them. Thus, Minions Kevin, Stuart, and Bob make the decision to venture out into the world to seek a master for their species to serve. Their search takes them to New York in 1968, where, through the wonders of television, they learn of a secret convention of super criminals.

Through a series of misadventures, the Minions arrive at the convention, where they are introduced to Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock, in her first animated movie), the world’s premier villain. Starstruck, Kevin, Stuart and Bob are thrilled to learn that Scarlet is seeking a qualified henchman to participate in her latest scheme for world domination. Through sheer luck (and a teddy bear), the Minions score the gig, but the experience of working for Scarlet will be far from the fun and games our heroes had in mind.

Now, as anyone who’s tried to sit through the “Penguins of Madagascar” animated series (or, for that matter, last year's full-length film of the same name) will readily attest, having funny-in-small-doses sidekicks take center stage isn’t always the best idea in the world. Thankfully, director Peter Coffin (who not only voices every single minion you see, but also co-directed the two “Despicable Me” films) and writer Brian Lynch (“Puss in Boots”) know this, and populate “Minions” with a number of colorful characters to pick up the slack from his gibberish-speaking stars.

Chief among these is Bullock as Scarlet, whose every outfit conceals armaments to put several small armies to shame. While Bullock seems to be phoning it in at times, the same cannot be said of “Mad Men’s” Jon Hamm, who plays Scarlet’s husband and weapons designer, Herb Overkill. Being at the stage of his career where he seems to be doing everything he can to convince us of his range (see his performance in “Unbreakable Kimmy Shmidt” for more evidence), Hamm plays Herb as a mop-topped, laid-back Pete Townsend caricature that’s about as far from Don Draper as one can get. Curiously, despite being heavily featured in the film’s promotional materials, Scarlet is curiously absent for a bulk of the proceedings, which is a shame, as Heaven knows there were probably a lot of funny things they could have done with the character.

As for the Minions themselves, they have lost none of their loveable appeal, getting in and out of shenanigans with (literal) wide-eyed naivety. Bolstered by the inherent irony of constantly seeking to serve evil while never actually wishing harm on anyone, the almost-child-like nature of the Minions is a far cry from the predominantly mean-spirited, self-aware, sarcastic characters that dominate modern animation.

Admittedly, having the bulk of the film set in the 60s seemed a curious decision until taken in context, but if the reason for it is just that the writers and animators just wanted to pay tribute to their favorite decade, then they’ve succeeded brilliantly. Colors, textures, and even characters, pop off the screen in all their garishly-hued period glory, and it is a joy to behold.

Contributing immensely to the proceedings, especially in the film’s England-set second half, is a soundtrack consisting of British invasion mainstays, including The Beatles and The Who. Not to be left out, the Minions get their own musical moments in the sun, delivering renditions of the Fab Four’s “Revolution” and “Singin in the Rain’s” “Make ‘em Laugh.”

With art direction you could look at for days (and a soundtrack to match), “Minions” is a fun way to spend 90 minutes with some of the unlikeliest creatures ever to headline their own film. Make no mistake, “Minions” may not be a masterpiece, but in an animated landscape comprised of increasingly-contrived sequels and spinoffs, this is one of the that actually delivers what it promises. — BM, GMA News

"Minions" is now showing in theaters.