---
title: "Minions: The Rise of Gru"
year: 2022
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/minions-the-rise-of-gru"
fi1m_id: "minions-the-rise-of-gru"
imdb_id: "tt5113044"
tmdb_id: 438148
wikidata_id: "Q60997779"
fi1m_score: 66
critics_score: 57
critics_reviews: 19
published: "2026-10-05T16:17:15.059088+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T16:17:15.196411+00:00"
region: "GB"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

Directed by Kyle Balda · 1h 27m · BBFC U · Animation, Comedy, Crime, Science Fiction, Family

## Identity

Minions: The Rise of Gru

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/minions-the-rise-of-gru
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** minions-the-rise-of-gru
- **IMDb ID:** tt5113044
- **TMDB ID:** 438148
- **Wikidata ID:** Q60997779
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5113044/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/438148, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60997779

**Fi1m score: 66** · Critics 57 from 19 reviews

*In a sentence:* The Minions are good company whenever the plot gives them a moment off

> Kyle Balda’s cartoon delivers enough inventive slapstick to justify an undemanding evening. Pierre Coffin’s Minions do most of the work; the fragmented story and lengthy action stretches make the film more tiring than it needs to be.

## Synopsis

In the 1970s, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) sets out to become a villain, accompanied by the Minions (voiced by Pierre Coffin). His ambitions bring him into the company of Wild Knuckles (voiced by Alan Arkin), Belle Bottom (voiced by Taraji P. Henson) and the Vicious Six. Gru wants to establish himself in the criminal world, with a collection of unruly helpers whose enthusiasm exceeds their discipline. His plans compete with the Minions’ own slapstick misadventures, against a backdrop of the decade’s music and fashions.

## Review

Kyle Balda’s *Minions: The Rise of Gru* is a decent family diversion with a story that repeatedly gets in the way of its comedy. Taking Gru back to the beginning gives the film an excuse for a 1970s setting, a collection of extravagant villains and plenty of physical foolishness. That is enough to get it going, and often enough to make us laugh. The difficulty comes when Matthew Fogel’s screenplay tries to keep several strands moving without making any of them particularly absorbing.

Steve Carell gives Gru the necessary determination, though the writing never makes his criminal ambition particularly interesting. There is some pleasure in hearing such seriousness applied to becoming a villain, but the origin-story business takes up space that could have gone to jokes. Alan Arkin is particularly good as Wild Knuckles, giving the character a personality through vocal delivery that the crowded plotting struggles to provide. Taraji P. Henson’s Belle Bottom is another presence we would have preferred the film to spend more time with.

Pierre Coffin’s voice work makes the Minions’ foolishness sound committed rather than merely noisy. He gives their exertions a comic urgency that helps the physical gags without needing the larger story to explain why they ought to be funny. We laughed at the kung-fu training, where the effort to impose discipline on these companions gives the animators something specific to work with. Those routines have a clarity that the surrounding criminal complications lack.

The animation is detailed enough to reward looking beyond the characters, and the 1970s styling gives the surroundings a distinct identity. Balda also keeps the movement readable when the comedy depends on a body getting something wrong. We can see the effort and the mistake, rather than just a blur followed by an impact. The smaller visual jokes make better use of that care than the crowded action does.

Claire Dodgson’s editing gives individual comic routines a useful snap, but the switches between subplots keep interrupting the film’s momentum. Heitor Pereira’s music helps maintain the bustle, though there is already plenty of activity competing for attention. The period soundtrack does an efficient job of reminding us which decade we are in. Between the music, the rapid movement and the frequent changes of focus, the film offers few chances for a joke to linger.

The weakness is the insistence on doing so much with so little story. A family comedy can manage perfectly well with a simple objective and a few characters, but Fogel keeps dividing our attention between loosely connected business. As the action grows more extended, the fights and chases begin to feel like time being filled, with fewer jokes to justify their length. The Minions’ loyalty gives the film some warmth, but it cannot make every diversion necessary.

At 87 minutes, it should be easier company than it is. There are enough good gags to make its weaknesses forgivable, particularly for anyone already fond of these characters. We would happily have watched more of the training and less of the competing storylines. Choose it for the slapstick, with modest expectations of everything joining up.

*Fi1m score 66, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The consensus is mixed, with a slight lean towards finding Minions: The Rise of Gru entertaining despite its familiarity. Praise centres on the Minions’ physical comedy, inventive sight gags and lively character animation, with Pierre Coffin’s voice work also drawing appreciation. The 1970s setting supplies another source of pleasure through its music, visual details and action references. Even several less enthusiastic reviews find the kung-fu sequences and incidental jokes more rewarding than the main story.

Reservations cluster around thin plotting, fragmented subplots and an overstuffed climax, though critics differ sharply on how much these matter. For the more receptive, the silliness compensates for the lack of surprises; for others, familiar jokes and prolonged action become tiresome. The Guardian finds the barrage exhausting but extremely funny, while the Los Angeles Times regards the chaos as largely nonsensical, with only limited relief from the period references and music.

## Straight answers

**Is Minions: The Rise of Gru worth watching?**

*Minions: The Rise of Gru* is worth watching for its inventive slapstick, particularly for families already fond of these characters; we score it 66 out of 100. We laughed at the kung-fu training, but the fragmented story and lengthy action stretches make this 87-minute comedy more tiring than it needs to be.

**How long is Minions: The Rise of Gru, and what is it rated?**

*Minions: The Rise of Gru* runs 1h 27m and is rated U by the BBFC in the UK. It is an animation and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Minions: The Rise of Gru in the UK?**

*Minions: The Rise of Gru* is available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from £3.49. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Minions: The Rise of Gru, and is it suitable for children?**

*Minions: The Rise of Gru* has a UK U certificate, indicating generally suitable viewing for children, and contains cartoon fights, chases and physical slapstick. Our reservation for family viewing is the sustained bustle: the music, rapid movement and extended action can be tiring, so children who prefer calmer entertainment may find it less comfortable company.

**How does Minions: The Rise of Gru compare to The Emperor's New Groove?**

*Minions: The Rise of Gru* is the more cluttered comedy beside [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove), which we recommend more readily for its concentration on jokes. Both benefit when their characters stop taking the plot seriously, but Gru’s origin story repeatedly interrupts the fun; *The Emperor's New Groove* keeps the comedy moving, despite an unconvincing friendship lesson.

**What should I watch after Minions: The Rise of Gru?**

After *Minions: The Rise of Gru*, try [*The Emperor's New Groove*](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove) (2000, Fi1m 80): Another comedy improved whenever its characters stop taking the plot seriously. Then [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): For a gentler evening, with friendship and physical comedy given room.

### Reviews we read (19)

- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O'Sullivan finds the film frequently glorious and a strong improvement over the second and third installments. She praises its visceral animation and especially Alan Arkin's vocal performance, while faulting Julie Andrews's accent and a familiar wide-eyed gag. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review-steve-carell-julie-andrews-b1009353.html)
- **The AV Club**, Todd Gilchrist (B): The critic finds the film considerably more enjoyable than expected, though it makes little impact on the Minions’ larger story. The Minions’ physical comedy and Pierre Coffin’s voice work are singled out as its chief strengths. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/minions-rise-gru-review-steve-carell-rza-taraji-henson-1849108874)
- **The Guardian**, Wendy Ide (75/100, inferred): Ide finds the film exhausting but extremely funny, praising its irrepressible goofball energy. She singles out the barrage of sight gags, puns and cartoon violence as a source of laughs. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/02/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review-another-serving-of-funny-goofball-nonsense-steve-carell)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (70/100, inferred): Richards finds it a reliably entertaining, undemanding instalment that delivers what fans expect. He praises the silly incidental jokes and the playful use of the 1970s setting. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/minions-the-rise-of-gru/)
- **Screen Daily**, Wendy Ide (70/100, inferred): The review presents the film as an appropriately silly origin story. It singles out Gru’s slapstick Minion companions as part of the appeal. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/minions-the-rise-of-gru-annecy-review/5171663.article)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Frank Scheck (70/100, inferred): Scheck finds the film familiar but entertaining, with plenty of clever gags. He praises its ’70s-inspired humor and soundtrack, though the extended final-act fights and chases grow wearisome. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/minions-the-rise-of-gru-1235173629/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (70/100, inferred): Debruge finds the sequel a delightfully silly, feel-good comedy, though its plot takes shortcuts and the climax feels overstuffed. He praises the inventive slapstick and character animation, especially the cleverly staged kung fu training gags. [Read](https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review-1235293045/)
- **Radio Times**, Emma Simmonds (3/5): The reviewer gives the film a three-star verdict, suggesting a mixed response. The available review text describes the 1970s setting and the Minions’ kung-fu training but does not reveal what the critic singles out for praise or complaint. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-8myk4a/minions-2-the-rise-of-gru)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3/5): The critic finds the film silly and fun, but fleeting. They single out its shortage of plot as a drawback. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/minions-the-rise-of-gru-2022)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland (C): Erbland finds the sequel messy and overstuffed, but likely to delight its young target audience. She praises the Minions’ goofy charm while faulting the film’s weak, fragmented subplots and lack of freshness. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/minions-2-review-1234737352/)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/2/1): Jenkins finds the film a chronic bore, arguing that Gru’s story leaves the Minions with too little to do. He singles out the Kung Fu sequence as one of the few moments that raises a smirk. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/minions-the-rise-of-gru)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (35/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film passable but not inventive enough to make its deliberately silly comedy work. He praises its visual style and frantic animation, while criticizing the jokes as middling and overfamiliar. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-minions-the-rise-of-gru-needs-to-be-dumber.html)
- **The i Paper**, Geoffrey Macnab (30/100, inferred): Macnab finds the film occasionally funny but ultimately disjointed and overlong. He praises Pierre Coffin’s Minion voice work and visual ingenuity, while faulting the incoherent story. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review-film-steve-carell-michelle-yeoh-1717777?ico=in-line_link)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (10/100, inferred): Walsh finds the film bewilderingly bad, a chaotic and nonsensical entry in the franchise. She gives limited credit to its 1970s references and needle drops, but says they cannot redeem the experience. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-06-29/minions-rise-of-gru-prequel-1970s)
- **HeyUGuys** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds it a huge amount of fun, while noting that its plot is thin. They praise the well-judged comic set pieces and colourful characters, especially the Minions and the Vicious Six. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review/)
- **Paste**, Aurora Amidon (6.9/10): Amidon finds the film hectic and overstuffed, but ultimately sweet and surprisingly enjoyable. She praises its vivid, detailed visuals and the Minions’ physical comedy and loyalty. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/minions/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review)
- **Deadline**, Todd McCarthy (60/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film reasonably amusing but says it overstays its welcome and feels driven by franchise economics rather than inspiration. He praises its sharp, imaginative visuals and its cheeky counterculture humor. [Read](https://deadline.com/2022/06/minions-the-rise-of-gru-movie-review-1235054493/)
- **/Film**, Rafael Motamayor (6/10): The critic finds the familiar Minions formula entertaining, though it offers few surprises. The film’s strongest feature is its playful blend of Blaxploitation and Bruce Lee-inspired action, especially the kung-fu sequences and larger-than-life characters. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/894379/minions-the-rise-of-gru-review-just-what-youd-expect-from-a-blaxploitation-movie-starring-minions-annecy/)
- **The Wrap**, Carlos Aguilar (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film tedious, formulaic and creatively hollow. They single out its 1970s production design and some setting-based humor as bright spots. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/minions-the-rise-of-gru-film-review-illumination-animated-steve-carell/)

## Details

- **Director:** Kyle Balda
- **Director:** Kyle Balda
- **Screenplay:** Matthew Fogel
- **Story:** Brian Lynch, Matthew Fogel
- **Editor:** Claire Dodgson
- **Music:** Heitor Pereira
- **Producer:** Janet Healy, Chris Renaud, Chris Meledandri
- **Cast:** Steve Carell as Gru (voice); Pierre Coffin as The Minions (voice); Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles (voice); Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom (voice); Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow (voice); Julie Andrews as Gru's Mom (voice); Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario (voice); Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 27m
- **Certificate (BBFC):** U
- **Release (the UK):** 1 July 2022
- **Genres:** Animation, Comedy, Crime, Science Fiction, Family
- **Budget:** $85 million
- **Box office:** $940 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCSnxXtjFL0

## Where to watch in the UK

- Amazon Prime Video: rent £3.49, uhd
- Apple TV: rent £3.49, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy £7.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy £7.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2023: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (won)

## If you liked this

- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): More small figures causing large problems, with even less adult supervision
- *The Wrong Trousers* (1993): A compact crime comedy whose physical jokes get every detail right
- *The Emperor's New Groove* (2000), Fi1m 80: Another comedy improved whenever its characters stop taking the plot seriously — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-emperors-new-groove.md)
- *Shaolin Soccer* (2001): Martial arts and cartoon physics meet in cheerfully ridiculous sporting slapstick
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: For a gentler evening, with friendship and physical comedy given room — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/minions-the-rise-of-gru