Minions: The Rise of Gru - The scoop and digest

Unlike prequel, Kyle Balda directs sequel alone.

Steve Carrell - Felonious Gru

Pierre Coffin - Minions

Taraji P. Henson - Belle Bottom

Michelle Yeoh - Master Chow

Russell Brand - Dr. Nefario

Julie Andrews - Marlena Gru

Alan Arkin - Wild Knuckles

Summary

In 1976, Gru dreams of joining criminal organisation the Vicious 6.

When he's rejected by Belle Bottom et al, Gru retaliates by stealing a magical stone which unbeknownst to him, has the power to turn anyone into a creature from the Chinese Zodiac.

Guess their plans to destroy the Anti-Villain League are put on hold.

Meanwhile, former Vicious 6 leader Wild Knuckles kidnaps Gru to take the stone for himself.

Kevin, Stuart, Bob and corpulent new addition Otto set off to rescue Mini Boss.

Mid credits

Dr. Nefario agrees to join Gru and takes him and Minions for a ride in his jet (ending just like Back to the Future).

Find your inner beast

Not great, but target audience should be entertained and adults may laugh.

Story is way too convoluted and trademark slapstick violence didn't hit the mark.

There are some clever visual gags (especially after Master Chow is introduced), but my funny bone was rarely tickled.

Or I'm a miserable bastard.

Ha ha ha.

Apart from Belle Bottom, others say next to nothing and are just 'there'.

Still, names of Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren) and Jean-Clawed (Van Damme) are cute enough.

It does benefit from a great soundtrack, including All the Young Dudes, Blitzkrieg Bop and excerpt of More, More, More is used to torture Gru.

Recreations of Bad Moon Rising, Cecilla and You Can't Always Get What You Want are other highlights.

This may be coincidence, but at some point in San Francisco, a Minion very briefly consults a street map similar to Silent Hill.

Who knows?