Minions & Monsters Review: Set in the glitz and glamour of 1920s Hollywood, Minions & Monsters follows the lovable yellow troublemakers as they embark on a mission to find the world’s most frightening creatures for an ambitious creature movie. Along the way, they form an unlikely friendship with a mysterious green monster, Goomi (Trey Parker). When their well-intentioned antics accidentally unleash a host of dangerous monsters, the Minions must save both Hollywood and the planet from descending into complete chaos.
While I’ve always respected what the franchise has accomplished, I’ve also felt the series has had an uneven track record when it comes to quality. The last entry in the series, Despicable Me 4 (2024), was surprisingly difficult to get through in one sitting and lacked the energy and charm of the franchise’s better entries. As a result, I wasn’t sure whether this latest instalment would reinvigorate the series or simply continue down a similar path.
Minions & Monsters Review: A Delightful Surprise for the Franchise
Thankfully, Minions & Monsters ended up being a delightful surprise. From start to finish, it delivers an entertaining adventure packed with laughs that work for both children and adults. The film balances slapstick comedy with clever visual gags, ensuring there is something for every age group to enjoy.
In fact, I’d go as far as saying this is easily the best entry in the franchise so far. It feels more focused, more creative, and considerably more enjoyable than Despicable Me 4. The film recaptures much of the magic that made audiences fall in love with these characters in the first place while also introducing enough new ideas to keep things feeling fresh.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its setting. The depiction of 1920s America and the golden age of Hollywood is absolutely charming. Cinema lovers will appreciate the abundance of Easter eggs and references scattered throughout the movie, many of which pay tribute to classic films and filmmaking history without feeling overly self-indulgent.
The audience I watched the film with was primarily made up of children, and their reaction spoke volumes. They remained completely engaged throughout the screening, laughing consistently and reacting enthusiastically to the film’s many comedic moments. Seeing younger viewers so invested reinforced just how effectively the movie connects with its target audience.
Visually, the animation is stunning. Illumination continues to raise the bar with each release, and Minions & Monsters showcases some of the studio’s best work to date. The character animation, vibrant environments, and attention to detail are impressive throughout.
The villains are another highlight. While the entire rogue’s gallery is great, special praise must go to Trey Parker’s Goomi, who completely stole the show for me. The character is hilarious, adorable, and consistently delivers some of the film’s funniest moments.
My only major criticism concerns the story’s second half. While the finale ultimately ties everything together, the narrative becomes cluttered with too many subplots along the way. At times, it feels as though the writers couldn’t decide which storyline to pursue and simply included all of their ideas instead. The result is a section of the film that lacks the same confidence and momentum as the excellent opening half.
Despite some storytelling issues in its latter stages, Minions & Monsters is a hugely entertaining family film that succeeds thanks to its humour, gorgeous animation, memorable villains, and charming period setting. I feel it’s the strongest entry in the franchise so far and a reminder of why audiences continue to embrace these chaotic yellow mischief-makers.
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7/10
