The human characters (Scarlet’s goons, the Queen’s guards) are forgettable. And if you hate the Minions’ language or their slapstick, this movie will be your personal hell. It’s 100% unfiltered Minion energy.
But for those of us who appreciate the art of visual comedy—the raised eyebrow, the slow turn, the accidental explosion— Minions is a treasure. It is a film that knows exactly what it is: a jukebox musical of nonsense. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
And honestly? I’ll be there for Minions: The Rise of Gru when they finally give us the 1970s sequel. Minions Movie Part 1
And you know what? It is nonsense. Glorious, historically-illiterate, Beatles-soundtracked, utter nonsense. But here’s the secret: Minions: Part 1 (as I’ve decided to call this origin chapter) is also the most honest film in the entire franchise. It’s a chaotic masterpiece of visual storytelling. Let’s break down why this prequel works, where it stumbles, and why those three little henchmen—Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—deserve their place in animation history. Let’s give credit where it’s due. The first ten minutes of Minions are arguably the best thing Illumination has ever produced.
Yes, you read that right. For ten glorious minutes, a Minion named Bob is the King of England. He sits on the throne, wears a crown that falls over his eyes, and uses the royal scepter as a back scratcher. But for those of us who appreciate the
Watching Bob hug a giant explosion at the end, completely unharmed, is the thesis of the entire franchise. The world burns around them, but the Minions just keep waddling forward, looking for the next villain to hug.
But it works. The soundtrack gives Minions a texture that Despicable Me lacks. It’s not just a kids’ movie; it’s a homage to swinging London, spy thrillers, and mid-century cartoon violence. There’s even a gag about the Minions inventing the handshake and the lawn gnome. It’s silly, but it’s clever silly. So, why does Minions (2015) succeed where so many other prequels fail? And honestly
Posted by: The Animation Vault Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
For years, the Minions were a punchline. A comedic side effect. The scene-stealing, gibberish-spouting, overall-wearing henchmen who turned Despicable Me from a quirky supervillain story into a global merchandising empire. Love them or hate them, you cannot deny their gravitational pull. So, when Universal and Illumination announced a prequel— Minions (2015)—the collective internet groaned. "A whole movie about the sidekicks?" we scoffed. "This is cash-grab nonsense."