“Minions: The Rise of Gru” gave viewers a hilarious and action-packed glimpse into Gru’s child-like villainy in a flower-child world. 

Gru was raised in the 70s, the disco era, and this movie perfectly captures the elements of the era through bright, funky colors and subtle references to the past throughout the film. 

As an old soul, I especially loved these elements, and it’s a great way to cater both to the younger audience through the story and their parents through the imagery and soundtrack. 

The story follows Gru as he tries to join his favorite villainous group, the Vicious 6. 

In his interview, the audience gets to witness Gru and Dr. Nefario’s first meeting, when a young Dr. Nefario gives Gru his first gadget. 

Once Gru gets to the interview, everything goes downhill as the group realizes he is actually a child and not a tiny man as they thought.

The new leader of the group, Belle Bottom, laughs at Gru and tells him to come back when he’s done something worthy of the epic villain status the group shares. 

Gru impressively shows them that age has nothing to do with skill and successfully makes off with the group’s latest steal, the zodiac diamond. 

What comes next is an epic chase by the group to capture Gru, who turns to his not-yet-well-trained minions. 

Funny mistakes from the minions ensue, with one trading the stone for a classic toy from the decade, a pet rock. This is where the rise of the beloved minion trio —Frank, Kevin and Bob— is formed.  

The three set out for Chicago to save their “mini-boss,” as they so lovingly call the 11-and-three-quarter-year-old Gru, who has been captured by his all-time favorite villain, Wild Knuckles.

During a heist at the Bank of Evil, Gru sees his “Despicable Me” arch-nemesis, Victor ‘Vector’ Perkins for the first time in a photo when he meets his father, Mr. Perkins. 

If you remember from the first movie, Mr. Perkins refused to fund Gru’s mission to capture the moon. It makes more sense knowing that Gru robbed him as a child, I’d hold a grudge too if it were me. 

Vector is seen in the photo wearing a ridiculous bright-orange jumpsuit even as a child, which felt spot-on with his personality. 

There are so many full-circle moments like this in the movie that explain so much of why Gru and the other characters are the way they are later in life. 

The only question they didn’t answer was the absence of Gru’s father. This really nagged at me until I realized that these movies are geared towards younger audiences and probably wouldn’t do as well at the box office with a scene depicting the father’s death. 

The director made up for it though by giving Gru the father figure he never had through Wild Knuckles. 

After Knuckles loses his crew, he enlists Gru to be his right-hand man and ends up becoming his mentor in all things villainous. It’s a sweet thing to see Gru being treated with the respect he deserved, especially by his biggest idol. 

Their friendship and partnership end up being strong enough to defeat the Vicious 6, with the help of the minions, in an explosive battle on New Year’s Eve. 

The movie delivered all things immature and outlandish, while still following and clarifying the original storyline. If you’re a kid at heart like me and need a good laugh, go see “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” I promise you won’t regret it.