Capsule Review: Those feisty yellow critters are back again in Minions: The Rise of Gru, an origin story that brings the franchise full circle. Packed with scheming villains and devious things and Steve Carrells’ voice, The Rise of Gru is an amusing if uneven little animated comedy that, like its predecessors, is clearly aimed at younger audiences, despite stories of teenagers dressing in suits to see it.

I took my 3.5-year-old to go see it, and she largely seemed to enjoy the movie even if it didn’t quite hold her attention over time. I felt the same way, and based on the buzz and laughter I heard in the theater, we weren’t alone. Early on, there was plenty of little giggles in the darkness, but as time went on, the laughter seemed to subside substantially. It’s not that there weren’t funny parts throughout, but the whole Minions gag seems to have run its course.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.