film criticism by maryann johanson | since 1997
Underwhelming: episodic, a random collection of unconnected vignettes rather than one cohesive story. Inoffensive, but missing the first movie’s fantastical animals’ perspective on the human world.
Charming. A cleverly constructed and amusingly rendered fantasy adventure that sings with a sweet, wistful devotion to home, family, and friendship.
Winners are indicated. I got 16/24. Pretty good, if I may say so myself.
In an almost terrifying reversal from the first film, this is crude, racist, and sexist, in entirely well-worn ways. (But the Minions are still funny.)
Better than *Toy Story 3.* Really.
Very funny. From director Chris Renaud, whose next project is Despicable Me:
