Review: 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' is fleeting mischievous fun

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Minions: The Rise of Gru
3 out of 5 Stars
Directors: Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val
Writers: Matthew Fogel, Brian Lynch
Starring: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Rated: PG for some action/violence and rude humor

Synopsis: The opportunity to join the villainous supergroup the Vicious 6 convinces 12-year-old Gru that he, with a little help from his minions, is ready to step out from the shadows and into the spotlight.

Review: When I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a baseball player or an architect. Paths I abandoned by the time I was 16. At the age of 12, Gru knew he wanted to be a supervillain. He’d yet to steal any historical landmarks, but his desire to join the Vicious 6, a high-profile squad of villains, was more than a whimsical goal. He felt that it was his destiny.

Sadly, the feeling wasn’t mutual.

Undeterred, Gru set out to prove his worthiness.

I have a deep respect for his tenacity.

What I loved about the Despicable Me films was the way Gru’s bad behavior was balanced out by the sweet innocence of a trio of orphaned girls. Margo, Edith, and Agne help the supervillain to discover his heart. It’s essentially the same character arc of the Grinch in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Take away the change of heart at the end of the story and it becomes a completely different experience. Something forgettable.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” when compared to "Despicable Me," is that different experience.Sure, it is familiar on the surface and features more than its share of gadgets and little yellow men. It distracts with homage to the kung-fu and blaxploitation films and disco music of the 1970s. But the film’s core is hollow. It's not really an origin story. Gru is already the Gru we see in "Despicable Me," only younger. There’s no emotional involvement, it’s just minion-fueled mayhem set to a danceable beat. Which is likely all that most audiences want from the film. Cotton candy, notcrème brûlée.

“The Rise of Gru” is more fun than it is good. For most audiences, the film will be the perfect kind of escapism because it doesn’t require anything from its viewers. I wanted something more than pure spectacle. It's also a crowd-pleaser; a sugary romp filled with silly characters in an inconsequential storyline. You'll like it, but I'm not convinced you'll remember it come late July. You'll buy the toys, of course. Why wouldn't you? Minions!