Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Universal Movie •••• Picture ••••½Sound ••••½Extras ••••

 The dictionary defines a “minion” as an underling. Despicable Me has turned Minions into superstars. The little animated creatures, who look like yellow tennis balls with goggles and mouths, manage to steal every scene in which they appear — a real feat when the main character, Gru, is voiced by the immensely talented Steve Carell. Gru is a professional villain who adopts three orphans merely to have them help with his nefarious plans, but then he starts to like them and . . . you know the rest. But you never know what the Minions are going to do in all their zaniness.

The color-rich 1.85:1 picture allows them to be oh-so-yellow. Meanwhile, it presents the Bank of Evil in rich reds — and displays a carnival with every bright color imaginable. The movie’s 3D version can be had on Blu-ray 3D, but that release was unavailable for review at press time; nonetheless, the 2D on this edition is so sharp that I didn’t long for the missing dimension. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound is clean and crisp, using all channels to great effect.

Extras are an absolute delight, offering three new shorts starring the Minions, a Gru-Control experience with the characters controlling the pop-ups, a madcap yet informed commentary by directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin (and the Minions), and production featurettes on the sound, music, and voices. You also get three interactive games and . . . cookie recipes!