“Minions: The Rise of Gru” (2022) is an animated comedy and the sequel to the 2015 film “Minions,” part of the “Despicable Me” franchise. The film serves as an origin story for the character Gru, showing his early days aspiring to become a supervillain and his initial encounters with the Minions.
Set in the 1970s, the film follows a young Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) who dreams of joining a group of supervillains known as the Vicious 6. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (voiced by Alan Arkin), Gru interviews to become their newest member. However, the interview goes poorly, and instead, Gru ends up stealing a precious stone from them with the help of the Minions, setting off a series of comedic escapades (IMDb).
The Minions, including fan-favorites Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and a new Minion named Otto, bring their unique brand of chaos and charm to the story as they aid Gru in his quest. The film introduces new characters and features a star-studded voice cast, including Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, among others (IMDb).
Throughout the film, Gru and the Minions are pursued by the Vicious 6 as they attempt to reclaim the stone. The narrative explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the pursuit of one’s dreams, all wrapped in the franchise’s signature humor and heart.
The climax of the movie involves a confrontation between Gru, the Minions, and the Vicious 6, which leads to an eventual alliance with the ousted Wild Knuckles. The film concludes with Gru and the Minions managing to outsmart the Vicious 6 and solidifying their bond, setting the stage for Gru’s future as the world’s greatest supervillain.
“Minions: The Rise of Gru” also delves into the backstory of Gru’s character, providing insight into his motivations and his early influences.