<\/p>\n
Everybody who\u2019s seen the 1998 \u201cRonin\u201d raise your hand.<\/p>\n
Really? You\u2019ve missed a terrific action movie starring Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno is thusly named because it\u2019s a parallel for the Japanese word referring to a Samurai who has lost his master and is up for hire.<\/p>\n
Why am I bringing this up in a \u201cMinions & Monsters\u201d review? Because the minions \u2013 way, way back \u2013 essentially were Ronin, traveling here and there, looking for a master to serve.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s how they\u2019re first depicted in this seventh out of the little yellow creatures that have made minion-aires out of the folks at Universal Studios, what with a stream of toys, games, household items and movies for the past 16 years.<\/p>\n
Your grandchildren and children will love this movie. But film buffs who have enjoyed the likes of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and other early stars will enjoy it all the more.<\/p>\n
We know right away we\u2019re going back to the past, because the current \u201cUniversal\u201d logo transitions backward to its first iteration. Then we hear the voice of Allison Janney as a film museum guide who is taking a group of people through the history of the Minions.<\/p>\n
We join the group of Minions as they struggle, and often fail, to retain a boss because their antics ultimately to their leader\u2019s injury \u2026 or worse (yes, there is a beheading in one brief scene.) Two standouts are James and Henry, goofballs who make each other laugh while they\u2019re messing up situations.<\/p>\n
They end up becoming unwitting stars in silent pictures directed by a fellow voiced by Christoph Waltz in a studio owned by greedy brothers, both voiced by Jeff Bridges.<\/p>\n
The Minions are the top \u2013 kind of like they are now, in fact \u2013 but when talkies come along, their \u201clanguage\u201d just doesn\u2019t fit the bill.<\/p>\n
But maybe the Minions can conjure up \u2013 so to speak \u2013 a monster to make a hit monster movie (remember, this is a Universal Picture, after all.)<\/p>\n
The rest is a frantic ode to films of many eras, friendship, and the animated action Minions-lovers appreciate. I bet you can guess who makes a cameo, but you\u2019ll have to see the movie because I don\u2019t want to tell you here.<\/p>\n
Oh. If you see \u201cRonin,\u201d put the kids to bed first.<\/p>\n
3 stars<\/p>\n
Running time: One hour and 30 minutes.<\/p>\n
Rated: PG for coarse humor and one (believe it or not) comical beheading.<\/p>\n
In theaters.<\/p>\n
Watch the trailer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n