They are yellowish as if they have jaundice and speak a grammelot that looks like it came out of a baby’s mouth. Square rugs of extraordinary tenderness. Born from who knows what cosmic alchemy, at the service of the worst people in the world, perhaps to temper human perfidy with their innocence. Full of defects, clumsy without plan B, bewildered improvisers. It would be enough to make the greatness of the Minions the really fun sequence where they take martial arts lessons from Master Chow: a synthesis of comedy, action, animation and Karate Kid training.
It is they, the Minions, the most loved by children since Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, the gentlemen of this difficult cinematic summerprotagonists / matadors of How Gru becomes very badwhich is the second spin off of the saga of Despicable Mewhich began in 2010. The first film dedicated to them, Minionswas released in 2015 and grossed 23 million euros in Italy alone, beating a tough nut to crack like Fifty Shades of Gray. Bob, Stuart and Kevin, plus Otto, the newcomer, a big boy with braces, follow Gru’s evil-star dreams12-year-old overweight, bullied but very intelligent.
Origins of a winning project. Gru and the Minions join forces despite some initial misunderstandings. God makes them and then pairs them, like Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. Gru (who in the original has the voice of Steve Carell and in the Italian version that of Max Giusti) is a nerdy boy who drools to conquer the world from the basement of his house. Kevin, Stuart and Bob want to sleep in bed with him, like children do with dad or older brother, because they have nightmares.. Nobody would bet a single penny on them.
Instead, here’s the long-awaited opportunity. Public peril number one, the gang of Malefics 6, hunt the historical leader Wild Knuckles / Willy Krudo, a warrior who, however, is aging, and leaves him in the middle of a mission. Like any precarious worker, Gru makes an interview to join the gang. Of course, he looks doomed to snarling giants, but luck favors the bold (and the crafty). The union with Krudo in search of revenge changes the cards on the table. And the Minions? I am the Greek chorus of adventure, the funny counterpoint, the bank Gru leans on when things get worse. In the original vocal cast, in addition to Carell, there are Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Danny Trejo e Dolph Lundgren (“I split you in two”: do you remember?). Bob, Stuart, Kevin and Otto are all voiced by Pierre Coffin, the creator of the project.
Family cinema, of course, four-handed directed by Kyle Balda and Brad Ableson with the collaboration of Jonathan del Val, Universal Pictures distribution. A very equipped prequel that quotes Kill Bill e Indiana Jones, set in the Seventies, at least according to the atmosphere and urban connotations. At the heart of the adventure is a wonderful stone that makes those who control it omnipotent.
The Minions get hold of the trinket and use it as if it were a basketball. I forgive her and find her again, aided by the mysterious good fortune of cartoons. It must be said that As a crane it becomes very bad it was one of the most tormented films by Covid: it was ready already in 2020. From postponement to postponement, more than two years have passed. Gru is perhaps the most successful comic-villain in the history of cartoon heroes, but the Minions steal his show, so much so that at a certain point the paths diverge and the film follows parallel tracks ready to intersect to strengthen the development of the story. The wickedness, which is much talked about, is worth the cakes in the face of Laurel and Hardy. The result is a cheerful and perky coming-of-age tale, a praise of innocenceof family and friendship, of cinema that moves mountains and knows how to smile, against bullies and those who cannot dream.
MINIONS 2 – HOW CRANE BECOMES DESPICABLE
by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val
(Usa, 2022, duration 90′)
with the original voices by Steve Carell and in the Italian version by Max Giusti
Rating: *** 1/2 out of 5
In the halls
August 20, 2022 | 09:05
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