Universal Pictures and Illumination’s Minions & Monsters (animation; dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is, as the title suggests, about minions and monsters.
The minions have become a global phenomenon, appearing in several silent films, allowing them to live a life of Hollywood stardom. But when talkie films come into vogue, the minions become misfits because their language is incomprehensible. Having cost the studio millions of dollars because of their flops, the minions are fired. Not wanting to give up on his passion, minion James comes up with an idea to make his own movie titled Minions & Monsters where the minions would fight against giant creatures. The leader of the tribe, Dick, rejects James’ idea and leads the rest of the minions back towards finding a new evil master, but Henry and Ed break away from them to help James make his film a reality. They pitch it to film director Max, who encourages James to work on the movie. Max even provides him a film camera. The search for the perfect monster to play the villain in James’ movie begins. But when they do find the perfect monster, Henry and James realise that it wants to ruin and destroy Earth. Henry, James and their team of minions now take it upon themselves to save Earth.
The story is fairly nice. Brian Lynch and Pierre Coffin’s screenplay is interesting, especially for the kids. The incomprehensible language of the minions is particularly entertaining. The screenplay has several cute and comic moments, which make the minions endearing and the drama entertaining. However, the drama seems too implausible at places and loses steam after a while.
The voice acting of the animation characters is very good.
Pierre Coffin’s direction is nice. He has been able to hold the audience’s interest for a good part of the narration. John Powell’s background music goes well with the mood of the film and enhances the impact of the scenes. Charlotte Hutchinson’s art direction is of a good standard. Claire Dodgson and Gregory Perler’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is lovely.
On the whole, Minions & Monsters is a fair entertainer for kids mainly, but it will do very ordinary business in Hindi while working better in the original (English) language.
Released on 2-7-’26 at Gemini (daily 2 shows) and some cinemas, and on 3-7-’26 at Movie Time Goregaon (3D; daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: so-so. Opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was below the mark everywhere.