COMPETITION (Released to DVD USA 2015)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Competition—cute Minions short film—has good presentation and suitable portrayal.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  The Minions are drawing and one rolls his drawing into a ball and chucks it in the trash at the other end of the room. The other minion thinks he can do better and the story is on.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Kyle Balda and Julien Soret for directing effort. Cast includes Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It serves child entertainment needs more than adult needs. This short film writing is not high quality.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BENNY'S BIRTHDAY (Released to Internet USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Benny’s Birthday—cute concept—plays like Bill Murray's Groundhog Day except with a birthday theme instead of Groundhog Day. The animation is great. This short film features on Despicable Me 4 DVD and on the Internet.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Benny the Minion wakes up and tears off the previous day of his calendar and finds that it is his birthday. Then the rest of the minions switch a light on and say Happy Birthday and the chaos begins.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Chris Allison and Olivier Luffin for directing efforts. Thank you to Illumination Studios for producing the film. Voice Cast includes Pierre Coffin. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short animated film provides cute and suitable entertainment for all family members. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

GAME OVER AND OVER (Released to Internet USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Game Over and Over—fun short animated watch—works for the whole family. The animation is great. The film is featured on the DVD version of Despicable Me 4 and on the Internet. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A minion find a controller prototype that has not been fully tested. Even though there is sign that says 'do not touch,' the minion can't wait to try it and finds that it controls other minions.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Christophe Delisle, Christophe Lourdelet, and Ludovic Roz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Pierre Coffin.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Cute animated short film serves the needs of the whole family.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DESPICABLE ME 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Despicable Me 4—another great film that marks Illumination Studios as king of the animation world—WOW! This movie may not stand out quite as much as part 1, 2, and part 3 of the series, but its colorfulness and flair for catching family life can be well received. This is a 'no shab' watch that emphasizes original and creative character development and the impact good writers can make to a movie. Fun watch.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Gru is a special agent who takes down criminals. But an old villain wants revenge for Gru ruining his award reception and putting him in prison.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chris Renaud for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Sofia Vergara, and Will Ferrell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is great watch and has the Illumination Studios stamp for a quality, wonderful story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers