The film tells the backstory of the lovable yellow creatures as they meet young Gru, set years before the events of Despicable Me (2010).
Though much of the demand for Minions: The Rise of Gru was from children and families – the film’s target audience- some of it came from the meme-ification of the Despicable Me franchise.
The group is split between true fans of the Despicable Me franchise and young people ironically supporting the film. Unfortunately, horrible actions by a few have ruined things for most of the Gentleminions looking for a fun day at the movies.
Viral Minions: The Rise of Gru Movie Theater Controversies
Later, a movie theater employee confirmed that the young Guests caused permanent damage to the fragile movie theater screen, which will cost thousands of dollars to replace.
Credit: Universal
A former movie theater employee expressed concern about the impact this would have on the lower-wage workers at the movie theater in a TikTok:
“The company is going to make up for lost costs somewhere,” @movie_daddy explains. “The easiest cost to cut is labor. That means they are going to not schedule their employees as much as they should. So the employee who works 35 hours a week in order to survive will now suddenly be only working 25 hours a week. And when you’re living paycheck to paycheck and you rely on that job, that is a huge hit.”
In another viral video, a movie theater employee warned Guests that screaming, clapping, and any unruly behavior would not be tolerated during the Minions: Rise of Gru screening.
Credit: Bailee A. Inside the Magic
“We will call the cops on you,” the employee says in the viral video. “Also, it is against the law to record… if we see you recording, we won’t even give you a warning. We’ll just call the cops.”
@3CFilmss shared the full pre-screening warning on Twitter:
Imagine being a parent unaware of the meme chaos & hearing this warning before #Minions 😂💀
Headed to theaters soon? Here’s what to expect from Minions: The Rise of Gru:
This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in Minions: The Rise of Gru.
Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.
When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humor, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him.
The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.
Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.
Credit: Universal Orlando
Be sure to be respectful of movie theater employees and fellow Guests if you’re headed to see Minions: The Rise of Gru.
1
Credit: Universal Studios
