Minions (2015)

Minions Stuart, Kevin, and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a supervillain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

Directors:

Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin

Writer:

Brian Lynch

Stars:

Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandra Bullock	...	Scarlet Overkill (voice)
Jon Hamm	...	Herb Overkill (voice)
Michael Keaton	...	Walter Nelson (voice)
Allison Janney	...	Madge Nelson (voice)
Steve Coogan	...	Professor Flux (voice)
Jennifer Saunders	...	The Queen (voice)
Geoffrey Rush	...	Narrator (voice)
Steve Carell	...	Young Gru (voice)
Pierre Coffin	...	The Minions (voice)
Katy Mixon	...	Tina (voice)
Michael Beattie	...	VNC Announcer (voice)
Hiroyuki Sanada	...	Sumo Villain (voice)
Dave Rosenbaum	...	Fabrice (voice)
Alex Dowding	...	Royal Advisor (voice)
Paul Thornley	...	News Reporter (voice)

Storyline

Ever since the dawn of time, the Minions have lived to serve the most despicable of masters. From the T-Rex to Napoleon, the easily distracted tribe has helped the biggest and the baddest of villains. Now, join protective leader Kevin, teenage rebel Stuart, and lovable little Bob on a global road trip. They'll earn a shot to work for a new boss, the world's first female supervillain, and try to save all of Minionkind from annihilation.

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Plot Keywords:

minion | invented language | one word title | villain | teddy bear | 

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Taglines:

Go back to where it all began.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action and rude humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

First fully CGI film of Michael Keaton's that's not from Pixar.

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Goofs

About 35 minutes into the film, one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars is supposedly shown. Jimi was left-handed, but he played a right-handed guitar re-strung for left-handed play because that stringing created a unique sound due to the angling of the pickups with relation to the distance from the terminus of the string. While the head of the guitar is never shown so we can see whether it is right- or left-handed, the mounting point for the shoulder strap is, and it denotes a right-handed guitar, as expected. However, the guitar is strung for right-handed play as well; it should have been strung for left-handed play. That, and the design of the guitar suggests a slightly stylized fictional version of a Squier, rather than a model he actually played.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: Minions. Minions have been on this planet far longer than we have. They go by many names. Dave, Carl, Paul, Mike- Oh, that one is Norbert. He's an idiot. They're all different, but all share the same goal:... To serve the most despicable master thru could find.

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Crazy Credits

There are various jokes with the Minions as the end-credits initially scroll, followed by an extended post-credits sequence in which Kevin, Stuart and Bob perform a version of The Beatles song "Revolution" and most of the characters from the movie re-appear.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: John Mulaney/The Strokes (2020)

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Soundtracks

Rocky Road To Dublin
Arranged by Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, Luke Kelly, Ciáran Bourke, John Sheehan
Performed by The Dubliners
Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
By arrangement with BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

User Reviews

With visual slapstick and retro quirk, Minions is a light fun comedy

Having mostly gibberish for script, this movie is a prove that visual antics and a few timely noises go a long way to induce laughter. In a throwback to classic setting and comedy, this spin-off might not be bigger than most animations in recent time, but it's still an enjoyable foray. The style of 60s world and era appropriate soundtracks enhance the atmosphere as these peculiar creatures dabble in feeble mischief.

Story follows three particular minions on their way to find the most dreadful villain there is. The journey takes them across the globe until they meet Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock). Graphic-wise Minions is presentable. Though not all of the set pieces are magic, some of the displays, such as the rainy night or monarch architecture are still engaging and presented with nifty details.

The mostly simplistic nature works well, bringing visual cues and lots of squeaking mumbles. It doesn't use elaborate word plays, but this is actually an advantage as the humor is readily accessible for any casual viewer. Several of the jokes are distinctly amusing, though it doesn't fall flat even when a couple of them don't hit the high note.

It also boasts notable pop references of the time, from the ironic quips and its zippy tunes. The human characters can be a bit stereotypical or over-the-top, since these are mostly spoof version of action flick baddies. Its actual villain portrayal might take the name Overkill way too seriously for comical purpose.

The presentation for visual humor is fine and the references are easily relatable. Minions is not a cerebral endeavor or emotional adventure, though these awkward yellow simpletons are notoriously delightful.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Blog Official Facebook

Country:

USA Japan France

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

10 July 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Suoiuiw

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$74,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,718,405, 12 July 2015

Gross USA:

$336,045,770

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,159,444,662

Company Credits

Production Co:

Illumination Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat SDDS Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Auro 11.1 Dolby Surround 7.1 Dolby 12-Track Digital Sound

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1