MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

In MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU, Gru is just a boy who longs to be a villain, but when he leaves his minions to do so, he realizes he needs them. A funny, entertaining movie, MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU has some scary villains and some New Age elements about finding a “Zodiac Stone,” which has special powers, but it also has some positive moral, redemptive elements about sacrifice, helping others and finding a family.

Gru has always wanted to be a super villain, but when he tells the other students in his school, they tease him about it. When Gru goes home, his mother isn’t interested in talking to him or spending time with him. Gru goes down to the basement, where all the minions are there to support and help him. He soon finds out that the Vicious 6 need another villain, and they’ve asked Gru to come in for an interview. Gru tells the minions he no longer needs them, since he is making the big time now. The minions are distraught and decide to follow Gru, but without him knowing.

Once Gru arrives, the Vicious 6 tease him, saying that Gru is just a child, but just then he steals the Zodiac Stone from them. The group, who is fierce and extremely villainous, come racing after Gru to retrieve the Zodiac Stone. Thus, it’s a good thing the minions followed Gru, because they are able to save him from the supervillains. However, during the chase, Gru gave the stone to a minion, who lost it.

Gru is so furious, he leaves the minions for good, only to be kidnapped by a villain named Wild Knuckles, who takes Gru to San Francisco. Wild Knuckles was once a member of the Vicious 6, but they kicked him out and took the Zodiac Stone from him. So, of course, Wild Knuckles wants the stone from Gru and wants to destroy the Vicious 6.

However, the minions don’t know where the stone went. Will the minions be able to find the stone and save Gru from the Vicious 6?

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU has New Age elements centered on a plot of finding a Zodiac Stone, which will give special powers to anyone who uses it. The movie also mentions the Chinese New Year, a Yoga Guru and using an inner force to defeat others. Despite all this, the movie also has moral, redemptive elements stressing sacrifice and helping others, even if it puts you in danger. At his core, Gru really isn’t a villain. He’s just someone who wants a family.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is a funny, entertaining movie but has some characters and action violence that may scare younger children. The minions themselves are cute, hilarious, adorable, and loyal, but the villains in the movie are very scary and grow to be even scarier toward the end. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger and older children.