NEWS

The latest installment of the MINIONS anthology, “Minions And Monsters” tells another version of the early years of the Minions’ antics. After a series of villainous bosses, the Minions end up in 1920's Hollywood. While most Minions are fixated on finding a new leader, James sees an opportunity for him and his friends, Henry and Ed, to pursue storytelling and filmmaking. After a series of blunders, the trio resort to using a magical book from a previous master to conjure actual monsters for a movie.

As another origin story and effort to expand the Minion franchise, the movie seems more like loosely related cartoon vignettes than a coherent screenplay. Beyond that, much of the movie’s story primarily functions as an excuse for the Minions to engage in destructive antics and childish humor. James, Henry, and Ed are passable as main characters. Unfortunately, their story is almost sidelined in favor of seeing what the rest of the Minions are doing.

Though clearly aimed at very young audiences, “Minions And Monsters” does try to add some adult humor, primarily in the form of period jokes. Fortunately, kids likely won't understand what the joke is meant to be, and, unfortunately, adults will notice various ways that the joke falls flat. While not a bad film, “Minions And Monsters” has very little that will cause it to be remembered fondly, if at all. Lacking in both story and humor, this film is little more than a way to kill time.

5/10​