CLAY TRIBUNE / THE ARCHIVE

Tag: Illumination

Three yellow minions wander through a bright 1970s New York street, searching for a master to serve.

Gru’s Villain Origin Story Gets Lost in the Minion Show

Minions: The Rise of Gru review: the 2022 prequel made $940 million but scores 56 on Metacritic. A messy plot, a great Alan Arkin, and a franchise that coasts.

By mitch·7 min readSeptember 17, 2026

A green creature surveys a festive village from a lonely mountain peak.

Movie Reviews5.1/10

The Grinch is watchable, well-scored, and entirely unnecessary

Review of Illumination's 2018 The Grinch: Benedict Cumberbatch voices Dr. Seuss's green character in an 85-minute film that earned $553 million.

By mitch·4 min readSeptember 16, 2026

Animals perform on a brightly lit stage in an animated musical scene.

Movie Reviews4.9/10

Sing 2 Has More Songs and More Characters, but Nothing New to Say

Sing 2 review: bigger, louder, but not better. Buster Moon heads to Redshore City, with an all-star cast wasted on thin subplots and easy resolutions.

By mitch·3 min readSeptember 16, 2026

A small yellow creature in a blue uniform stands near a massive broken mechanical arm.

Movie Reviews4.9/10

The Minions Franchise Runs Out of Ideas in Its Third Go-Round

Despicable Me 3 review: Gru's twin Dru, Trey Parker's Balthazar Bratt, and a billion-dollar gross that hides a shapeless sequel. Score: 4.9/10.

By mitch·7 min readSeptember 15, 2026

A small koala stands before a grand hall where many animals gather to sing.

Movie Reviews5.9/10

Animated Sing-Along Movie Gets by on a Jukebox and a Famous Cast

Sing review: Garth Jennings' animated hit has a clever typo plot, 60+ songs and a stacked cast, but the jukebox does the script's emotional work. 5.9/10.

By mitch·3 min readSeptember 15, 2026