disclosure: We were sent a Blu-Ray copy of Minions: The Rise of Gru in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own. No other compensation was received.
As a child of the 70s, I can honestly say one of the best movies this summer was Minions: The Rise of Gru (read my review here). I was completely mesmerized by the attention to detail, while entertained by the comedy that only those adorable, yellow balls of chaotic energy can provide. Now that the movie is available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD, let’s check out the bonus features available.
In case you haven’t seen the movie yet, Minions: The Rise of Gru is about a young, 12 year old Gru in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. When the infamous supervillain group, the Vicious 6, ousts their leader, Gru attempts to join their ranks but soon finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to learn martial arts to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
The bonus features for Minions: The Rise of Gru, which are plentiful, offer a whole other form of entertainment. Minions: The Rise of Gru runs just under 90 minutes, so there is plenty of time to check out the bonus features after the movie. You could plan a family movie night around all the activities that are offered. Check out the list offered on all formats:
- POST MODERN MINIONS (MINI MOVIE) – Experience one Minion’s rise and fall as an artistic genius when he sneaks into a 1970’s post-modern art gallery with a fellow Minion and unintentionally creates an explosive new art form that is declared by a snooty art critic as the greatest art he’s ever seen. When the critic moves onto the next new artist, our Minion tries everything to get back in the spotlight, which accidentally leads to his next unexpected career.
- MINIONS AND MONSTERS (MINI MOVIE) – Follow a newbie Minion as he joins three more experienced Minions in playing a 1970’s fantasy role-playing game. After struggling to gain the skills needed to master the game, the newbie unexpectedly rises to the occasion and saves the day, earning him the magical crown and the appreciation of his buddies.
- EXTENDED SCENE
- OUTTAKES
- CHARACTER PROFILES
- GRU
- WILD KNUCKLES
- BELLE BOTTOM
- MASTER CHOW
- THE VICIOUS 6
- BIKER
- GRU-VY ANIMATION – Join Steve Carell and the directors as they take us through the animation process. From Concept Art, through Storyboards and on to the Final Film, with every Gru-vy step in between explained in fun and fascinating detail.
- THE ’70S – FASHION, FOOD & FUNK – A behind the scenes look at the 1970’s through the lens of MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU. From fashion to music, cultural phenomenon and back – the cast and filmmakers are bringing the 1970’s to a whole new generation.
- MINION MARTIAL ARTS – In this 1970s inspired martial arts movie throwback, we hear from the film’s directors about their inspiration, how they created authenticity in animation, the role the many martial artists in the cast played to bring it to life and how you teach a Minion to fight.
- HOW TO DRAW (& ANIMATE) WITH BRAD ABLESON – Co-director Brad Ableson shows us how to draw all of our favorite characters.
- MINION
- YOUNG GRU
- KUNG FU STUART
- LAIR FLAIR: MAKE YOUR OWN MINION HIDEOUT – The Minions aren’t the only ones who can build a secret lair — now you can, too! (And yours doesn’t have to be built under Gru’s bed.)
- THE LAIR
- DISCO BUBBLES
- JET PACK
- SUPER STYLE SHOP – The Minion uniform of overalls and goggles is timeless. Simple yet functional. But sometimes Minions have a casual day out and can abandon their work attire for something more fashionable. Here’s how can create fresh new fashion for YOUR Minions!
- BELL BOTTOMS AND BANDANA
- FRINGE VEST AND CHUNKY NECKLACE
While the mini-movies are adorable and perfect for just a few extra minutes of fun, the real prize in these features is THE ’70S – FASHION, FOOD & FUNK. This feature takes us through the minds and memories of the filmmakers from this time period. Again, I cannot say this enough – the attention to detail in this movie was amazing, down to the sound of the rotary phone. How to Draw with Brad Ableson offers a few different lessons, which is a great hands-on activity for young animators. Check out this fun, bonus clip about The 70s Funky Style:
Be sure to bring home Minions: The Rise of Gru today and treat the family to a night of fun!
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
