‘Minions & Monsters’ Reviews Are In — Here’s What Critics Are Saying
The first reviews for Minions & Monsters are here, and critics are mostly enjoying the latest adventure from the world of Despicable Me. The animated comedy is the newest entry in Illumination’s popular franchise and serves as the third prequel movie focused on the Minions. Directed by Pierre Coffin and written by Coffin and Brian Lynch, the film takes audiences back to 1920, decades before the events of the first Minions movie.
The story follows the yellow creatures as they attempt to create their own monster movie during the early days of Hollywood. Along the way, the film mixes classic cinema references with the usual Minions-style humor and chaotic comedy.
Minions & Monsters features Pierre Coffin returning as the voice of the Minions, alongside a large cast that includes Trey Parker, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr.
The movie premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 21, before its upcoming theatrical release from Universal Pictures. Early reactions suggest that critics appreciate the film’s decision to explore a different setting instead of simply repeating the formula of previous franchise entries.
Brian Orndorf from Blu-ray.com gave the film a positive review, praising its entertainment value and the many references to movie history. “There’s a fun factor here to carry the viewing experience. And movie fans will have a ball tracking all the cinema references included here,” Orndorf wrote.
Christopher Lloyd from The Film Yap also enjoyed the movie, giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars. He highlighted the fact that the franchise tries something new for its seventh overall installment.
“Give points to the franchise for not just doing the same-old for its 7th iteration, hearkening back to classic movies for inspiration as the lovable yellow ijits dive into kiddie-friendly slapstick,” Lloyd said.
Spanish publication Fotogramas gave the film one of the strongest reactions, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. Critic Fausto Fernandez praised the movie’s connection to the history of cinema and its playful approach.
“The Minions haven’t just stolen another movie – this time one of their own – but they’ve turned it into the definitive visual, conceptual, and historical encyclopedia of cinema’s origins. A wildly funny one,” Fernandez wrote.
James Croot from The Post NZ also gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, saying the movie has enough creativity and emotion to appeal beyond younger audiences.
“There’s enough wit, invention and heart to captivate even the most cynical of animated adventure-weary moviegoers,” Croot said.
Other critics were slightly more mixed but still found plenty to enjoy. Jake Wilson from the Sydney Morning Herald gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, noting that its unusual structure fits the idea of the Minions creating their own fantasy.
“The somewhat disjointed quality of Minions & Monsters is fitting provided we take it as a fantasy conceived by the Minions themselves,” Wilson wrote.
Overall, the early critical response to Minions & Monsters has been positive, with many reviewers praising its humor, creative setting, and love for classic Hollywood. While some critics felt the story could be uneven, most agreed that the film brings something fresh to a franchise that has been running for several years.
With its focus on old Hollywood and the Minions’ own attempt at filmmaking, the movie looks set to offer a different kind of adventure while keeping the silly energy that made the characters popular around the world.
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