Minions & Monsters review: A delightful ode to Hollywood, friendship, big dreams

Minions & Monsters movie review: The new instalment follows James, Henry and Ed as chaos turns them into Hollywood stars. The film uses that rise and fall to tell a warm story about dreams, friendship and loyalty.

In Short

• Minions & Monsters pays tribute to old Hollywood and friendship
• Minions become silent-era stars, facing cinema's sound transition
• Visuals shine in IMAX and the film balances nostalgia with fresh story

Few animated franchises have become shared memories across generations quite like the Minions. Parents grew up laughing at these mischievous yellow creatures and their gibberish, while children today adore them just as much, thanks to all the marketing and merchandise. Illumination's latest release, Minions & Monsters, understands that legacy, and instead of merely cashing in on nostalgia, delivers a warm, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt tribute to old Hollywood, cinema itself and the power of friendship.

At just 90 minutes, the film never overstays its welcome. It moves with infectious energy, packing in laughs every few minutes while occasionally slowing down to remind audiences that beneath all the chaos lies a genuinely sweet story.

The film opens at the Hollywood Exhibition, where a guide is shocked that younger visitors have never heard of James and Henry, the Minions who once left their mark on Hollywood. It's a clever setup that doubles as both an origin story and a love letter to cinema.

As always, the Minions are searching for their next evil master, lovingly referred to as the 'Big Boss'. But if there is one thing these tiny creatures are consistent about, it is that wherever they go, chaos follows. Every plan ends in disaster, every mission spirals out of control, and somehow that is exactly what makes them so lovable.

This time, James takes centre stage alongside familiar faces Henry and Ed. Unlike the others, James is a dreamer. He loves painting, possesses a vivid imagination and constantly finds himself in trouble because of it. During their search for a new boss, the tribe accidentally wrecks a film set. The resulting footage impresses producers enough to turn the Minions into unlikely movie stars.

What follows is perhaps the film's strongest stretch. As the Minions become silent-era sensations, Minions & Monsters cleverly recreates Hollywood's evolution. They move into Beverly Hills, get a Walk of Fame recognition and crazy fans. They become fashion icons with their signature blue dungarees and dream of winning Oscars. But with the arrival of sound in cinema, their trademark gibberish is no longer enough. They are soon fired, and as they lose everything, it makes for a surprisingly smart and accessible way of introducing younger audiences to one of Hollywood's biggest turning points.

Determined to fulfil his dream, James sets out to make a monster movie, only to unleash chaos in typical Minion fashion. Dort, an adorable robotic extraterrestrial, adds another layer of charm with an unexpectedly sweet romance, while a subtle women's rights subplot reflects the social changes unfolding alongside Hollywood's evolution.

The film's biggest surprise, however, is James himself. He isn't just another Minion running around creating chaos. He is perhaps the franchise's most emotionally developed character yet. Beneath the slapstick comedy is a dreamer who wants to make movies and tell stories. His ambition gives the narrative an emotional anchor that many previous Minions adventures lacked. Equally touching is the film's reminder that despite constantly searching for evil bosses, these little yellow troublemakers cannot help but do the right thing, whether it is rescuing a helpless baby or standing by each other when everything falls apart.

The second half admittedly slips into more familiar territory with its giant-monster showdown and city-wide destruction. But honestly, what else do we expect from films made for children? These are precisely the moments that fill cinema halls with laughter, gasps and applause. The spectacle may feel conventional, but it never loses sight of the film's emotional core. The humour remains consistent, the action is engaging, and the heart never takes a back seat.

Visually, Minions & Monsters is stunning, especially in IMAX. The mist-covered landscapes, twilight sequences and vibrant colour palette make every frame pop. The familiar yellow Minions remain as expressive as ever, while Gru and a few other familiar faces make welcome appearances that connect the film to the larger universe without overshadowing James and his friends.

While the film's biggest strength is definitely its humour, beneath all the comedy lies the film's most touching message. Dreams may begin with one person, but they are realised with the people who stand beside you. Whether it is surviving failure, chasing impossible ambitions or taking on giant monsters, having your tribe makes every battle easier. Friendship, loyalty and believing in one another become the true heroes of this story.

Minions & Monsters is nostalgic without becoming lazy and visually inventive without overwhelming its story. Whether you grew up with these lovable yellow troublemakers or are meeting them for the first time, this delightful and funny family entertainer deserves a trip to the big screen.

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