Set in 1976, an eleven year old Gru (Steve Carell) dreams of joining the Vicious Six, the greatest supervillain team of all time. The team once led by Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin) is now seeking new members with Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson) at the helm. But when Gru’s interview goes badly he steals an amulet from them as a way to impress them before being kidnapped by Wild Knuckles. Oh and the Minions complicate things a whole lot too. 

The Rise Of Gru whilst technically a Minions movie has learnt that without Gru there is no balance of plot and crazy buffoonery. With Gru a perfect balance is met and a perfect family movie is made. 

The Minions are as funny as ever with their main sub plot revolving around them learning Kung Fu from Master Chow (Michelle Yeoh). Gru on the other hand learns the meaning of team work thanks to the relationship he forms with Wild Knuckles. 

The voice cast is stacked with a veritable banquet of perfect casting. Russell Brand and Julie Andrews return as Dr. Nefario and Gru’s mum. Whilst the Vicious Six have Jean Claude Van Damme as Jean Clawed, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, Danny Trejo as Stronghold and Lucy Lawless as Nun-Chuck. The sort of perfectly punned, perfectly cast cameos that put the cherry on the cake. And of course then there is Pierre Coffin as the inimitable Minions. 

Jokes are thrown at you thick and fast starting with a wonderful Bond montage opening credits and many references to the other films in the series. Whilst the soundtrack is filled with absolute corkers including a Carpenters song and the Minions doing a rendition of a Rolling Stones classic. 

If you found any enjoyment in the other films in the franchise you will be in heaven.