Minions & Monsters (in theaters)

The Minions do what they want. 

Though that’s always been true of the characters, the franchise has thankfully decided to follow suit. The delightful result of this is “Minions & Monsters,” a wacky love letter to old-school Hollywood and the best Minions-related movie since the original “Despicable Me.” Who else but the Minions could have a fantastic extended gag based on various silent movie comedians, then have one of the best jokes in the movie be a riff on “Citizen Kane”? Or, later, have a key plot point manifest as a “The Shape of Water”-style riff on “The Day the Earth Stood Still”? And honestly, we wouldn’t want them any other way. 

The movie follows a different group of Minions than pervious movies (but don’t worry – their personalities are very similar). After a long, fruitless quest to find a big bad to serve, the group ends up accidentally becoming famous in silent movie-era Hollywood. Once the addition of sound derails their careers, however, they have to decide whether to continue chasing their Hollywood dreams or finding the big boss they’ve been looking for. 

After the extended Hollywood riff, the movie turns into a monster feature that feels more like classic Minions-style chaos. There’s still plenty to enjoy here, including some nice silliness with monster names and a strange but funny running clown gag. Like the best Minions moments, the ending is both absurd and oddly heartwarming at the same time. 

These might not quite be the Minions you’re used to, but give them a chance. Their brand of craziness is worth it. 

Grade: Three stars

Jackass: Best and Last (in theaters)

I guess anyone who’s been popular as long as the “Jackass” boys have has earned the right to take a victory lap. 

“Jackass: Best and Last” is largely a greatest hits clip show, though admittedly some of those hits weren’t legally allowed to air before this. If you laughed at them before you’ll probably laugh at them again, and if you first ran into the series in college you’ll be the right age to really appreciate the new “we’re getting old” gags. Gross-out fans will appreciate them anyway – a lot of poop and vomit is involved – though the more violent gags have been relegated to the younger set due to medical issues. After all, the last movie gave star Johnny Knoxville a brain hemorrhage.

That fact is reflected on near the end of the movie, along with Knoxville’s genuinely emotional reaction to saying goodbye to the series that has been such a big part of his life. “Best and Last” could have used more of this, allowing other members of the original “Jackass” team to reflect more on the changes in their bodies and lives since the whole thing started. Even more discussion about the enduring nature of their friendships would have been welcome, since those friendships are the source of whatever sweetness the series manages. 

It’s impossible at this point to argue against the cultural significance of “Jackass,” or the powerful nostalgic pull it has on many millennials. If you’re in that category, the movie is a good chance to let yourself say goodbye. 

Grade: Two stars

Jenniffer Wardell is an award-winning movie critic and member of the Denver Film Critics Society and the Utah Film Critics Association. Drop her a line at [email protected].