Review: Minions

July 12, 2015 1:52 p.m.

We recently watched Minions on the metro's BIGGEST SCREEN at Union Station! As avid fans of the Despicable Me series (like most of America), we were excited to see this new summer family film. We were especially excited to see it at Union Station. The Extreme Screen at Union Station boasts the biggest screen in the area, and with $5 tickets for 2D showings at 12:30pm, it's an affordable venue to see the show. Add in some time at Science City or exploring the Model Rail Experience, and you have a terrific day with the family. Tip: You can also walk the link to Crown Center and enjoy attractions there like their FREE Storyland exhibit.

Minions Showing thru July 30 at Union Station: FREE parking (3hr in covered garage - validate at Concession Stand). FREE popcorn for Union Station Members. SHOWTIMES: 2D: 12:30PM; 3D: 2:45PM | 6:15PM | 8:30PM. PRICES: 2D: General Admission $5 (12:30pm only), Adults $8, Children $7. OR 3D: Adults $10, Children $9. Minions is rated PG, runs 91 min. Buy tickets at https://boxoffice.unionstation.org/categories/extreme%20screen

When the first Despicable Me came out we went on a whim to see it at a $2 theater. I remember watching the first ten minutes and thinking, "What is this?" and then the story progressed and the film won me over. It was partially the loveable bald guy surrounded by little girls who soften his tough exterior (much like my home life), it was partially Vector who was absolutely the funniest villain in the franchise, and it was those Minions and their mad scientist cohort cleverly working behind the scenes adding unpredictable humor to the film. We loved Despicable Me and purchased the DVD. We also marked our calendars to see the second film when it came out - enjoying it more than most sequels, but a little less than the first film. When Minions came out this summer, we were eager go see it.

This prequel to the series focuses entirely on the Minions before Gru. The film begins with their experiences from early history working as sidekicks to historical villains - each one met with a fiasco courtesy of the Minions and their innocent clumsiness. The first fifteen minutes of the film are the funniest and best. Eventually, the Minions need a new leader and they land in New York City in the 60s where they learn of a Villain Convention in Orlando and an opportunity to meet and faithfully serve the "best" (can you be the BEST villain?) villain ever - Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock. They hitchhike to Orlando where they meet many "famous" villains and eventually prove themselves worthy to be her sidekicks. Scarlet devises a plan to steal the crown from Queen Elizabeth and rule England, she uses the Minions to help. Unfortunately (or fortunately - it's hard to keep track - are we for or against the villain?) they blunder again and the story takes on a twist.

Throughout the story, we see the Minions popping up in key historic moments from the sixties in some of the funniest scenes of the film as they almost make it on the Beatles Abbey Road cover, the famous footage of the moon landing, and other memorable events.

As all Minion fans know, the yellow tictac shaped goggle eyed overall wearing creatures do not speak English, they speak an alien language. Amazingly, throughout the film we understood what they were conveying with all of their gibberish. I will admit, a bit more clear English would have been nice and with the entire film being about them this time, they were on screen with their gibberish a lot more than the other two films.

This film was a third installment in a franchise, and like many third installments, I didn't feel that it quite held up to the originals (each one a little weaker than the last). It was funny and the animation was fabulous, but the story wasn't as solid. The audience laughed out loud a lot during this film, and my girls thought many scenes were hysterical, but I'm not as eager to own this on DVD.

For all fans of the franchise who want to see the film, the Extreme Screen is a perfect venue to enjoy it!

Things parents need to know before deciding whether to take their children to see it:

There are many violent scenes (true of all Despicable Me films), one in particular uses real guns to rob a bank, and another shows a torture chamber in a castle with many graphic weapons used for humorous gags.
In one scene, the Minions hypnotize guards causing them to strip down to their undies and sing a song from Hair while dancing around and slapping each other on the bottom.
Villainous Scarlet Overkill has a strong following of fans at the Villain Convention and many (including men with mustaches) dress like her in her bright red dress.
Scarlett adjusts her strapless dress more than once.
With the original film, we saw the moral conversion of Gru from bad guy to great dad. With this film about villains and their evil plots, there was no big heartwarming conversion or happy ending.
We felt there were many post film talking points for the dinner table. This can be a great learning tool if you take advantage of the opportunity.
If you'd like more information, I find it useful to read Common Sense Media's review for more details when choosing films for our family.

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