6/7 🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩
Minions & Monsters was such a fun film to watch. I’ve always been a fan of the Despicable Me and Minions franchise, but this film may be my favorite so far. This movie felt like it was made for both film fanatics and comedy lovers.
The first half of the film is packed with hidden gems that pay tribute to so many iconic movies and eras of cinema. Film aficionados will likely recognize most of them, though even I caught myself wondering if I had missed a few. There is a surprising amount of love and detail woven into what could have easily been just another animated comedy, and that level of care really stood out to me.
When it comes to the story, we all know the Minions do not speak in traditional dialogue, but their language makes the experience even more fun. It turns the film into something you actively interpret through tone, physical comedy, emotion, and movement. Pure cinema! There was never a moment where I felt lost or confused about what they were trying to say. Since I know Spanish, some of the language clicked for me in a really fun way (their language is a mix of several languages), but overall, I think their way of speaking transcends language entirely. It becomes something universal. Something we can all understand.
Visually, the animation is stunning. I could not believe how detailed everything was, especially when it came to skin texture, hair, facial expressions, lighting, and reflections. The craftsmanship is beautiful, and as a lover of animation, I truly appreciated how much artistry went into every frame. It is the kind of animation work that makes you stop and realize just how far the medium has come. I could absolutely see it being part of the awards conversation.
The music was also wonderful and helped convey so much of the film’s emotion. The score gives the movie energy, heart, and momentum, while the touching piano tribute in the first half felt like a beautiful nod to the silent films that were once accompanied by live pianists. It was a small detail, but one that added so much charm and cinematic history to the film.
The voice acting was incredible overall. Even though I love George Lucas, I felt like his cameo did not necessarily showcase him as the strongest fit for voice work, but it was still fun to see him be part of something he clearly loves (he is a fan of the franchise). Having seen George at Comic-Con, he definitely played himself, but I think most people would be stunned by such a muted personality from someone who created Star Wars. Beyond that, the performances were great and really helped tell the story, even in a film where so much of the storytelling relies on sound, expression, and movement rather than traditional dialogue. The script itself was also packed with lore, subtle jokes, and clever little details that rewarded longtime fans.
My only real criticism is that a few of the jokes felt recycled at times. That may stand out more if, like me, you have watched these films multiple times. Even with that minor critique, I still think this is a great film and absolutely worth seeing in theaters. There is something special about laughing collectively with an audience, and this movie definitely delivers more than a few belly laughs. It’s wild, daring, and so much fun.
Emotion: 6/7
Editing & Story: 6/7
Visuals: 7/7
All images, characters, and references from Minions & Monsters are used solely for editorial and review purposes. All rights remain with Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, and their respective owners.