The animated franchise featuring the yellow, gibberish-speaking Minions returns with "Minions & Monsters," directed by Pierre Coffin and Patrick Delage. The film, rated I and currently screening in cinemas, marks another installment in the series that began with the "Despicable Me" movies. This latest entry focuses on two Minions, James and Henry, who embark on a journey through 1920s Los Angeles in search of a new villainous master.
Set during the silent film era, the story finds the Minions inadvertently drawn into the world of early Hollywood filmmaking. When they encounter Max, a diminutive director voiced by Christoph Waltz, they are enlisted to help create a movie, which leads to a blend of slapstick humor and a homage to classic cinema. The film incorporates numerous nods to well-known works, including "The Matrix," Charlie Chaplin’s "Modern Times," and Universal’s monster films. A running joke features Minions adopting the first names of famous directors, such as Steven and Quentin, while a humorous scene depicts George Lucas preserved as a museum exhibit.
Pierre Coffin returns to voice the Minions, while Jeff Bridges adds depth as a movie executive. Trey Parker, co-creator of "South Park," also provides a voice for Goomi, a green creature who assists the protagonists’ Hollywood ambitions. Although the narrative does not reach the emotional complexity of the "Despicable Me" series, the film compensates with self-aware humor, particularly when the Minions become stars and merchandising icons.
In contrast, Hong Kong’s "Unidentified Murder," directed by debut filmmakers Kwok Ka-hei and Jack Lee Chun-kit, offers a modest but inventive local comedy currently opening in cinemas. Starring Ling Man-lung, Renci Yeung, Ronald Lam, and Peter Chan, the film has captured critical attention for its screenplay, winning recognition from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.
"Unidentified Murder" explores themes of male friendship, scams, and grassroots filmmaking through a layered, three-act narrative structure. The plot centers on a mysterious urban legend involving a character named Ho, who supposedly vanished after an alien abduction witnessed in childhood. The story unfolds as Man, played by Renci Yeung, hires an actor to impersonate Ho in the rural mountains where he disappeared. However, a live-streamed encounter takes a dark turn when two men appear to strangle the impersonator.
The film revisits key events from multiple viewpoints, gradually revealing the true nature of the scenario and escalating into a farcical comedy. While the screenplay’s structure has drawn widespread praise, the film’s humor relies heavily on the deadpan performances of its small cast, whose theatrical backgrounds bring sharp comic timing to the layered narrative.
Together, these two films—one a bright, animated homage to cinematic history, the other a quirky, indie comedy—demonstrate a diverse range of storytelling approaches currently appearing on the big screen in different parts of the world.