In 2010, the world was introduced to a horde of yellow creatures in overalls: the minions. These banana-loving villains followed their leader, Gru (Steve Carell), in all its villainous pursuits, but even more than a decade later, the game’s big power dynamic has remained largely unexplored. Is it because this relationship between Despicable MeGru and his minions (Pierre Coffin) in no way guarantees a serious conversation? Maybe. But another possibility is that we simply don’t have enough information about the origins of the minions hired by the GRU. Until now. Minions: Rise of Gru finally sheds some light on the wider symbolic meaning of these chaotic creatures, how they came into Gru’s hands and what they can tell us about our own world.
What does it mean to be a minion
It’s just that the term “minion” is synonymous with words like follower, subordinate, and servant, which accurately represent beings. Despicable Me franchise. From the start, the minions have served as a comic representation of an idealized capitalist workforce. They are immortal, which means that they do not require medical attention, sick leave, or work safety protocols. Not only that, they are unfailingly loyal, hardworking, and almost uniform in appearance. With a clear life purpose, they are determined to follow the most evil being on the planet, a mission with a high capacity for professional loyalty, but still highly volatile, to suit the needs of the villain’s “invisible hand”.
The aesthetic choices underlying the Minions’ equipment are no accident either: overalls, work boots, and goggles serve as the epitome of utilitarian work gear. These garments are perfect for their work environment as they perform assembly line tasks in an industrialized environment that is reminiscent of post-Ford labor.
Gru (literally robber baron) stands apart, towering over minions in both stature and prestige. For such a supposedly evil figure, it is likely that he will also perceive them as disposable, mere tools to further his nefarious plans. However, as we get to know him in Despicable Me, that couldn’t be further from the truth. it’s only in Minions: Rise of Gru that we understand the true dynamics in the game.
Messaging with the mini boss
Minions: Rise of Gru presents the revered villain with a character arc containing deeper messages than many would even care to consider. At the beginning of the film, Gru sees the minions as nothing more than a slightly useful nuisance. In fact, at the first chance to advance his personal goals by joining the Vicious 6, Gru is willing to forego minions altogether, not considering them ready for the “major league” of villainy. When Otto swaps the Zodiac Stone for a pet stone, Gru’s fears seem to be confirmed and he completely dispels them. He uses their labor to create devices in his lair and to perform low-level circuits, but does not seem to value them more than their practicality. However, everything changes when he is captured by Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin), sending minions on a quest to save him.
The Minions take it upon themselves to take a trip across the country, learning kung fu and using their inner beasts to take on the super-powered members of the Vicious 6. After this journey of self-discovery, the minions defeat the Vicious 6 in spectacular fashion as Gru observes, completely reversing all Gru’s expectations of them. and proving their value as people who can make a personal contribution, and not just valuable to their part of the collective working whole. The spirit animals of Kevin, Stuart and Bob are all different, and only by accepting their lost individuality can they win the battle.
Through this victory, Gru is able to realize that his workers are of more value than the mere products of their labor. He has first-hand knowledge of the impact of this indifferent attitude through his experience with the Wild Knuckes. Decades after the group’s formation, Knuckles is abandoned by the other members of the Vicious 6 due to his old age, a choice they regret as he helps the minions defeat the team. This ageist disregard for personal values hits Gru hard as he finally realizes that even his idol is susceptible to such brutal methods. How is his dismissal of minions different from Vicious 6’s treatment of Wild Knuckles? Through this experience, Gru learns the lessons of ethical work practices, which we see questioned in the later parts of the timeline.
No more villainy
Minions: Rise of Gru presents Gru with a message about becoming a more conscientious employer, though he seems to deviate somewhat from this practice in the later installments Despicable Me franchise. As a species, minions find purpose in the service of evil. In 2015’s Minions, we see them isolated in a cave for decades, lining up long lines for psychotherapy sessions to discuss their dissatisfaction with no villain to follow. As they near extinction, Kevin, Stuart, and Bob assume their individual identities again to head for a new boss, ending up with Gru. These working relationships have been in place for years (including the lineage we see in Minions: Rise of Gru), but is interrupted by the introduction of the girls: Margot, Edith and Agnes (Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Guyer, Elsie Fisher). After Gru adopts his daughters, the minions are expected to do both emotional and physical work, taking care of the girls’ needs while Gru is busy doing other things.
Although Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) rejects the new status quo, the Minions still seem satisfied as Gru continues his evil antics. This is when he gives up his villainous nature in two Despicable Me in the sequels, instead of becoming part of the Anti-Villain League, the minions are again faced with a dilemma. Gru doesn’t pay much attention to their many disappearances in Despicable Me 2 and fires the minions (again) as they give him an ultimatum in Despicable Me 3choices that lead to their conclusion.
It would seem that several decades later, Gru took his minions for granted. Ethical Practices Gru Learned in Minions: Rise of Gru forgotten, and it makes him feel worse. In every film in the series, the minions save Gru from a scenario in which he was certainly doomed, but he treats them with flippant disdain as soon as the next business opportunity arises. It’s the agonizing realization that no matter how many times they save Gru, how many gadgets they make for him, or how many years they serve him, they’re not considered truly equals.
Gru is member of the elite socio-economic status. Viewing his villainy as a business, Gru is an impressive entrepreneur, but none of his capital can be achieved without the efforts of his henchmen. However, it is troubling to realize that despite the touching foundation on which their relationship is built, the minions will always stand below it. Looking through their restrictive goggles and work gear, their gaze is never an advantage.
From the very beginning of Gru’s minion career, he is constantly reminded of their value as a collective and as individuals. Gru, doomed to repeat the same mistakes as his youthful origins, must admit that he needs his minions as much as they need him. It is only through his banana-loving fans that he can defeat his rivals, raise his children, and even—maybe—even steal the moon.
Source: Collider
