Honestly, nobody expected a movie about yellow Tic-Tacs in denim overalls to shut down movie theaters in 2022. But it did. Minions: The Rise of Gru wasn’t just a sequel. It was a cultural reset for a generation that grew up on "Despicable Me" and decided, collectively, to make things weird.
You’ve probably seen the videos. Hundreds of teenagers in sharp suits, steepling their fingers like mini-villains while walking into a local AMC. It was chaos. Beautiful, hilarious chaos.
But if you strip away the memes and the "Gentleminions" TikTok trend, what’s actually left? Is the movie any good, or was it just a very successful marketing fever dream? Let’s get into the weeds of how this prequel actually fits into the timeline and why it basically printed money for Illumination.
Minions: The Rise of Gru and the 1970s Vibe
The movie kicks off in 1976. Gru is eleven. He’s got big dreams and even bigger hair, and he spends his days trying to convince the world he’s a serious threat while living in the suburbs with his mom (voiced by the legendary Julie Andrews).
The plot is fairly straightforward but moves at a breakneck pace. Gru wants to join the Vicious 6, the world’s premier supervillain team. When their leader, Wild Knuckles, gets betrayed and kicked out of the group, Gru sees his opening. He interviews. It goes horribly. Then he steals a powerful artifact called the Zodiac Stone to prove he’s got the "evil" goods.
What follows is a massive chase across San Francisco. We get introduced to Otto, a new Minion with braces and a serious habit of talking too much. While Kevin, Stuart, and Bob are trying to learn Kung Fu from an acupuncturist named Master Chow (voiced by Michelle Yeoh), Otto is off on a solo quest with a pet rock.
It sounds ridiculous because it is. That’s the point.
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The Voice Cast is Low-Key Incredible
Illumination didn't skimp on the talent here. You have:
- Steve Carell doing a higher-pitched, pre-teen version of Gru.
- Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles (this was actually his final film role).
- Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, the disco-inspired leader of the Vicious 6.
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed (yes, he has a giant lobster claw).
- Dolph Lundgren as a roller-skating Viking named Svengeance.
- Danny Trejo as Stronghold.
It's a weird mix of action stars and comedy heavyweights. Michelle Yeoh’s Master Chow is easily one of the highlights, mostly because watching her try to teach Minions how to throw a punch is exactly the kind of physical comedy these movies excel at.
The "Gentleminions" Phenomenon
We can’t talk about Minions: The Rise of Gru without talking about the suits. Usually, when a kids' movie comes out, the audience is... kids. But for this one, 34% of the opening weekend audience was between the ages of 13 and 17. That’s an insane demographic shift.
The #Gentleminions trend started with a few guys in Australia and exploded globally. It was ironic, sure. But it was also nostalgic. These were the kids who saw the first "Despicable Me" in 2010 when they were five years old. They weren't making fun of the movie; they were celebrating the absurdity of it.
Universal and Illumination were smart. Instead of trying to shut it down when some theaters got rowdy, they leaned into it. The official Minions TikTok account started reposting the suit videos. They "reclaimed" the characters from the Facebook mom meme era and made them cool for Gen Z.
The Jack Antonoff Soundtrack
Here is something most people forget: the music. Jack Antonoff produced the soundtrack, and it’s basically a 70s fever dream.
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He got artists like Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, Tame Impala, and Diana Ross to cover classic tracks. You have St. Vincent doing "Funkytown" and Phoebe Bridgers doing a hauntingly beautiful version of "Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters. It’s a soundtrack that has no business being in a movie where a yellow creature turns into a goat, but it works. It gives the film a polished, high-energy feel that sets it apart from other generic animated sequels.
Where Does It Sit in the Timeline?
Chronologically, this is the second movie you should watch.
- Minions (2015): Shows the origin of the species and their first meeting with Gru in 1968.
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022): Gru at age 11/12 in 1976.
- Despicable Me (2010): The original story set in the modern day.
The movie does a great job of bridging the gap. We see how Gru met Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) at a record store called "Criminal Records." We see the early versions of his gadgets. It answers the question of how a kid from the suburbs ended up with an underground lair and a frozen-treat-based weaponry system.
The Box Office Reality
The movie was delayed for two years because of the pandemic. People thought the hype would die down. They were wrong.
It ended up grossing over $940 million worldwide. It beat out movies like "The Batman" and "Thor: Love and Thunder" in domestic totals. It proved that "Minion fatigue" isn't a real thing as long as the marketing is sharp and the movie delivers on the slapstick.
Critics were a bit more split. Some thought it was just more of the same, while others (rightfully) pointed out that the animation quality has skyrocketed. The San Francisco setting looks vibrant, and the action sequences—especially the plane sequence with the Minions in the cockpit—are genuinely well-choreographed.
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What You Should Actually Do Now
If you haven't seen it yet, or you're planning a franchise marathon, here’s the best way to approach it.
Watch for the Easter Eggs
Keep an eye out for the "Bank of Evil" and the early prototype of the Shrink Ray. The film is littered with nods to the original trilogy that make the world feel cohesive.
Don't Skip the Credits
The end credits feature some great animation and the final wrap-up of Wild Knuckles' story. It’s a nice tribute to Alan Arkin’s character.
Listen to the OST Separately
Seriously. The soundtrack stands on its own. If you’re a fan of Tame Impala or Kali Uchis, the covers are actually top-tier and worth a spin on Spotify or Apple Music.
Look Toward 2026
With the announcement of Minions 3 set for July 1, 2026, it’s clear this story isn’t over. We’re likely going to see Gru’s awkward teenage years next. If the trend of blending high-end music production with viral marketing continues, expect another summer of suits and bananas.