Kung Fu Funktastic Family Fun!
Directed by: Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathon del Val
Written by: Matthew Fogel, Brian Lynch
Cast: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Alan Arkin
Swift shot: A groovy, animated road trip heist Kung Fu origin story for the whole family complete with some special treats for those old enough to remember when bell bottoms were all the rage and disco was at its height. With reimagined modern takes on all the funky music blasting away in the Spirit of ’76, this film is sure to inspire your little Minions to groove and get down!
Mini-boss, Gru (Carell) is not even twelve years old when a spot becomes available in his favorite villain supergroup, the Vicious 6, made up of: Wild Knuckles (Arkin); Belle Bottom (Henson); Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren); Stronghold (Danny Trejo); Jean-Clawed (Jean-Claude Van Damme); and Nun-Chuck (Lucy Lawless).
Gru has their poster on his wall, has their action-figures, and he pretty much idolizes all of them, but his real “hero” is the white-haired and past his prime, Wild Knuckles. But, when the opportunity comes to take Knuckles’ spot on the team, Gru doesn’t hesitate. He is despicable, after all.
Naturally, when the Vicious 6 gets a look at this kid, they dismiss him and tell him to come back when he’s done something worthy of their attention. Well, Gru decides to show them all right then and there, as he acquires an item Belle Bottom has been saving for a very special occasion, the Chinese New Year of the Dragon.
I nearly forgot to mention the Minions, as Gru also puts them decisively in his rear-view mirror. He’s young and doesn’t really get the concept of loyalty to his friends, yet. And that’s really what Minions: The Rise of Gru is all about as Gru discovers you can’t always get what you want, but with a little help from his little yellow buddies, he will get what he really needs, a loving family.
This is such a colorful and joyful film with so many references to the seventies and particularly Kung Fu movies of the era. It was such a delight to see Michelle Yeoh who is probably the most iconic Kung Fu queen of my generation just dominating as the diminutive Master Chow as she steps in to teach the Minions some moves they will need to help Gru.
Along with the addition of some new faces and some old, new faces from Gru’s future, like Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, the adventure and imaginative encounters will keep a near-permanent smile on your face.
If I had to pick on anything that just didn’t work for me, I would have a hard time finding one. The acting was great, the story was fun and engaging, and the music just adds to the overall experience.
I didn’t really care for Despicable Me 3 that much, sadly, so I was so happy to find that joy I had with the earlier Despicable Me and Minions movies again.
If you miss the seventies and love these laughable yellow goofballs of energy and fun, you will want to check out Minions: The Rise of Gru in theaters this summer!
