Minions: The Rise of Gru is 70’s Time Machine Full of Joy

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.

However, when the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6 (looking like a misfit version of the A-Team or Avengers), oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. When the supergroup is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain,  Gru suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil and is on the run.

The 70’s vibe is is fantabulous between the soundtrack boasting classic R&B Earth, Wind and Fire to disco hits (Disco Inferno) to easy listening (The Carpenters) to record store listening booths will take audiences right back to an era where life was simpler, music was broadly eclectic and global energy was free flowing to express and be who you are regardless of what form that comes in.

Watching the Minions get trained by a mother figure Asian Kung Fu Master is hilarious and to have her plus sized (even though voiced by Michelle Yeoh) is brilliant and totally refreshing out of the box.  Normally, this type of animated character would have been unproportionately thin. Yet, the most important lesson for the audience, Gru and Wild Knuckles is that sometimes a friend can come from the most unlikeliest of places while imparting lessons, confidence and establishing life long relationships along the way.

Lastly, moments like Gru in an airplane bathroom trying to navigate the avoidance of being sucked down the toilet coupled with that glaring noise that punctures your eardrums.  Or that moment where the Minions nag Gru into working with them is hilariously reminiscent of those sheep in the Serta mattress commercials are one of many moments providing pure comedy.

Directed by Kyle Balda alongside co-directors Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val and produced by Universal Pictures,  Minions: The Rise of Gru is laugh out loud hilarious fun for the whole family to enjoy beyond the summer that will give you a whole new generation an appreciation of pet rocks and 70’s memorabilia.