“Minions & Monsters”

There have been plenty of Minions adventures over the years, but “Minions & Monsters” stands out by taking the little yellow troublemakers somewhere unexpected: 1920s Hollywood. It’s a clever premise that gives the filmmakers plenty of opportunities to poke fun at the early days of moviemaking while paying tribute to silent films, classic monster movies, and the communal experience of going to the theater. And for movie lovers, the first half is genuinely delightful. Sadly, the second half falls apart into standard big budget animated movie mediocrity.

The film follows the Minions as they travel to Hollywood in search of terrifying creatures for their latest monster movie. Along the way, they team up with a mysterious green creature named Goomi (voice of Trey Parker), only to accidentally unleash real monsters that threaten the entire planet. It’s an appropriately over-the-top setup that embraces the franchise’s love of chaos while adding a surprisingly affectionate love letter to cinema itself. If only that energy could’ve held steady.

The opening half is easily the strongest part of the film. The 1920s setting is wonderfully realized, filled with visual gags, clever industry jokes, and countless references to silent era comedies and classic horror films. Rather than relying entirely on nonstop slapstick, the movie takes time to celebrate why people have always loved going to the movies together (and that’s a message that we should all get behind, especially in today’s “let’s just stream from the sofa” attitudes around visual entertainment). The animation is colorful and energetic, and the celebrity voice cast, including accomplished names like Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Allison Janney, and Jeff Bridges, brings plenty of personality to the characters.

Unfortunately, the second half can’t quite maintain that momentum. Once a supernatural spellbook enters the picture and the monsters take over the story, the film becomes crowded with too many ideas competing for attention. The sharp Hollywood satire gradually fades into familiar Minions-style mayhem filled with repetitive slapstick and noisy action. It feels like the filmmakers abandoned their most original concept just when it was working best.

It’s also hard not to feel that the monster angle was a missed opportunity. With such an obvious chance to celebrate the classic Universal monsters, the movie instead introduces several original creatures that simply aren’t as memorable. Goomi is a particularly frustrating addition. His grating voice and awkward character design quickly wear out their welcome, and he ends up dominating far more of the movie than he should. Goomi is one of the worst animated characters in recent memory, and he almost single-handedly ruined the film for me.

Even so, the movie remains entertaining more often than not. The animation is consistently vibrant, many of the jokes are truly inspired, and the first half contains some of the funniest and most inventive sequences the franchise has produced in years. While the back half loses focus and settles for the familiar, there’s still enough charm, creativity, and affection for classic Hollywood to make it worth the trip.

The result is a movie that’s uneven but enjoyable. “Minions & Monsters” doesn’t fully deliver on its fantastic premise, but when it’s celebrating the magic of old Hollywood and classic cinema, it’s easy to remember why the Minions continue to be such enduringly entertaining little troublemakers.

By: Louisa Moore