On the role of foil in Me, ugly and mean in 2010, the Minions quickly became stars and still are, twelve years later. The adorable yellow capsules, to which the French co-director of the first film Pierre Coffin has lent his voice since their debut, confirm their status as hilarious stars in Minions 2: Once Upon a Time Gru by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan Del Val.
“They became the symbol of the saga much like the squirrel Scrat was that of The Ice Age “explained co-director Kyle Balda to 20 minutes at the Annecy Festival. This new film reveals how Gru, the master of the Minions, lived his childhood and how his buttercup colored disciples earned their stripes.
A good voice for Minions
“The Minions have evolved since 2010, specifies Kyle Balda. They have become more sophisticated and more recognizable. Some of them have acquired a personality of their own. The talkative Otto is one of the cutest members of a motley and rambunctious little troupe. They try to save Gru who is kidnapped while trying to integrate a band of villains straight out of the popular culture of the 1970s where the film takes place. “Pierre Coffin has refined his language, which should be understandable around the world,” insists Kyle Balda.
If Gru is voiced by Steve Carell in English and Gad Elmaleh in French, his henchmen have only one interpreter worldwide. “Their childish way of speaking is understandable in all versions,” says the director. I believe that contributed a lot to their popularity. »
The Minions, Kings of Kung Fu
The Minions learn kung fu in this second film, a very funny development because their bodies seem, at first sight, not very compatible with the practice of martial arts. “We were advised by the kung-fu film specialist Ric Meyers to be sure to treat the subject with all the necessary respect. This cinematographic genre seemed to us emblematic of the time, ”says Kyle Balda.
Guided by a strong woman (voiced by Michelle Yeoh in the original version), our heroes become worthy emulators of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan confronting dragons and figures from Chinese mythology. Something to delight fans of these funny fellows who have become essential in popular culture.