The Minions head to Hollywood's Golden Age for an uneven but entertaining adventure that looks and sounds outstanding on 4K Ultra HD.
Since we first met the Minions in the original Despicable Me movie, audiences have enjoyed their humor and mayhem, so it only made sense that they would get their own spin-off film. Eleven years later, those funny little yellow creatures are now on their third movie, Minions & Monsters. Released in theaters this summer, it is now available for purchase on 4K, Blu-ray, and Digital download.
Minions & Monsters takes the Minions back to Hollywood's Golden Age, long before they became Gru's loyal helpers. After accidentally becoming movie stars, the Minions' fortunes change with the arrival of "talkies." While most return to their search for a new "Big Boss," James, Henry and Ed decide to make a movie of their own. Using a spell book, they summon Goomi and soon find their monster movie spiraling completely out of control.
The Golden Age Hollywood setting is one of the film's biggest strengths, providing plenty of opportunities for clever references to cinema history. Homages to Safety Last!, Steamboat Bill, Jr., Jaws, A Trip to the Moon, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Metropolis are among the many callbacks movie fans can enjoy.
Unfortunately, the film struggles a bit with its structure. Allison Janney's (I, Tonya) museum guide provides a framing device and narration, while a separate storyline involving Dort, an alien robot voiced by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), takes the Minions in another direction. Dort's story provides some entertaining moments but arrives around the forty-minute mark and becomes an extended detour from the much more enjoyable monster-movie storyline.
When the film focuses on James, Henry, Ed and Goomi, it is at its best. The increasingly chaotic collection of monsters, blending classic 1950s creatures with Lovecraft-inspired designs, provides plenty of opportunities for visual gags and destruction. The familiar Minion humor remains intact, and the supporting voice cast, including Janney, Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds), Jeff Bridges (Tron: Legacy), and Trey Parker (South Park), adds plenty of personality.
The 2160p presentation is excellent. Colors are vibrant and richly saturated, with the Minions' yellow looking especially impressive. Blacks are deeper, whites are brighter, and the images have excellent depth and dimensionality. Fine detail is strong throughout, while HDR provides more nuanced colors, improved shading, and better shadow definition. Dark scenes retain plenty of detail, and motion is smooth with no noticeable banding, judder, or compression issues. Overall, this is a stunning animated transfer.
The Dolby Atmos track is equally impressive. Powell's score creates an expansive soundstage, while bass delivers substantial impact during the monster sequences. Objects, characters, rubble, and other effects move precisely around the room, creating excellent directionality and immersion. Dialogue remains clean and clear, and the overall mix provides an energetic and well-balanced presentation.
The film has the following bonus features:
- Minions Take on Hollywood - A brief behind-the-scenes featurette that explores the film's journey from its initial inspiration and setting through storyboarding and animation.
- Casting Minions & Monsters - This segment introduces fans to the talented voice cast behind the characters seen on screen.
- Hollywood Sound - Composer John Powell discusses the score of the film, and we get a glimpse of the recording studio.
- How to Make Your Own Irene Blob Monster Slime - Using common household ingredients, viewers can learn how to make their own slime.
- Movie-Making Minions Style - Viewers are shown how to create their own flipbook.
- How to Draw - Head of Story Nima Azarba shows viewers how to draw nine of the film's characters.
Minions & Monsters is an uneven but entertaining addition to the franchise. Its Golden Age Hollywood setting and numerous cinematic references are great fun, while the monster storyline provides the film's best moments. The Dort subplot unfortunately slows down the second act considerably.
The 4K presentation, however, is outstanding. Rich colors, deep blacks, strong detail, and excellent dimensionality combine with an immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack to make this a terrific showcase for the film's animation and sound design.
If you love these little yellow guys and all their antics and mishaps, then you would be remiss if you didn't purchase this 4K edition to add to your home library.
Grade: B-
