MINIONS 2 COMES TO HOME VIDEO

Thank you Universal Pictures for providing ageekdaddy.com with a free digital code for Minions: The Rise of Gru

My twins have grown up with the Minions. Despicable Me was one of the first Hollywood movies they ever saw and they adore the loveable losers that are minions of that film's anti-villain. My son and daughter went BANANAS when they found out that we were having an end of summer family movie night watching MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU courtesy of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The newest movie in the Despicable Me franchise of films is now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital to add to your home entertainment video library.

The kids were geeked that this movie provides an origin story on how Gru and the Minions become a villainous team. Plus, in addition to the animated feature length theatrical animated film, the home video release edition of MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is full of the goodies that we come to expect when movies are released on Digital as well as Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD discs. When you bring this movie home, bonus content includes two all-new mini movies, hilarious outtakes, a how-to draw (& animate) lesson with co-director Brad Ableson and tons of activities the whole family can enjoy. 

Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru is just a 12-year-old boy in 1980s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. When the infamous supervillain group, the Vicious 6, ousts their leader, Gru attempts to join their ranks but soon finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to learn martial arts to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. Packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humor, MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU features more thrilling action than any Despicable Me film ever before!

Interestingly, while the Minions stole the show in the Despicable Me films, Gru is the standout in this MINIONS movie. And that works well because the Minions perform the same old same old antics in this film while Gru is refreshingly funny and likeable, well as much so as a pre-teen boy who dreams of being a "super villain" can be.  And while I have to admit starting to become somewhat tired of the Minions, Gru kept my interest in this story with his youthfulness adding some new energy to the franchise. 

My kids still laughed throughout the movie at the Minions hijinks so for them that never gets old. I actually got a big chuckle realizing that many of the villains in the MINIONS: RISE OF GRU are actors with a tough guy and gal reputation including Jean Claude Van-Damme (Jean Clawed), Dolph Lundgren (Svengeance), Danny Trejo (Stronghold) and Lucy Lawless (Nun-Chuck). So, everyone in our family found funny moments in this adventure-comedy.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval because after four movies this film was still very enjoyable to view and left us looking forward to more adventures with Gru and the Minions. I hear Despicable Me 4 is coming to movie theaters on July 3, 2024!

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is rated PG for action, violence and rude humor. It has a run time of one hour and twenty-seven minutes. Overall, my whole family enjoyed watching the film, so in my opinion it is a great selection that both parents and children can enjoy watching together for a movie night.

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Despicable Me 3 Giveaway

You'll go BANANAS just like a Minion for this great Despicable Me 3 prize pack! The third installment of Despicable Me is a must-see animated movie for a family outing to the movie theater this summer.  My family are huge fans of this movie franchise and to share our anticipation for the theatrical release of Despicable Me 3 I've partnered with The Hopping Bloggers to put together an awesome prize pack we're giving away! One lucky, randomly selected entrant will win over $100 in Despicable Me swag that includes:

• 3 Movie Collection on Blu-Ray: Minions, Despicable Me, & Despicable Me 2
• Despicable Me 3 Learn to Read Book
• Despicable Me 3 Mega Construx Building Set
• Despicable Me 3 Mystery Plush
• Despicable Me 3 Operation
• Despicable Me 3 Fluffy Funko Pop
• Despicable Me 3 Spy Gru Funko Pop

Synopsis Gru (Steve Carell) and his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) must stop former '80s child star Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker) from achieving world domination.

Despicable Me comes to theaters June 30th!

Connect with Despicable Me

Official Site | Facebook | Twitter | #DespicableMe3

Enter to win this Despicable Me 3 Prize Pack using the form below.
GOOD LUCK!

Entry-Form

A DESPICABLE GIVEAWAY

** This post is in partnership with Universal Pictures **

The hilarious antics and misadventures of Gru and his Minions are returning to the big screen on JUNE 30 when DESPICABLE ME 3 opens at movie theaters throughout the United States.  To say me kids are EXCITED to go see this movie is an understatement.  Picture Agnes seeing a big Fluffy unicorn and you get my drift about how much they want to go on a family outing to see Despicable Me 3 this summer.



So what is the plot for this movie?  After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis.  But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

To share my family's excitement about this movie, A Geek Daddy is hosting A DESPICABLE GIVEAWAY.  I'll be giving away to one lucky randomly selected winner a $25 Fandango gift card to see Despicable Me 3 at the movie theater plus two Despicable Me Mega Construx Micro packs. Must be over 18 years old and have a U.S. mailing address to be eligible to win (no P.O. Boxes allowed).  Prizes are courtesy of Universal Pictures and Mega Brands. Enter below for a chance to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MEGA CONSTRUX MICRO ACTION FIGURES

Get ready for buildable buffoonery movie-sized mischief with Despicable Me action figures in Mega Construx blind bag Micro packs.  There are 12 to collect including Fluffy the unicorn among an assortment of minions for you to create your own shenanigans with.  Recommended for ages 5 and up, collect this new assortment of Mega Construx action figures that feature all-new outfits, gear, themes, and accessories to allow you to build your very own loyal tribe of Minions.  Available now at Toys R Us, Target and Walmart.

For more information about the movie, please visit www.despicable.me. Also check out the Despicable Me social media content on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and GruTube searching with #DespicableMe3. Find out more about Mega Construx toys by visiting www.megaconstrux.com or following the brand on Twitter or Instagram.

DISCLAIMER & GIVEAWAY RULES A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this post and  hosting the giveaway but did receive the same prize being awarded for personal use. The prize is provided by Universal Pictures. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. Must submit eligible entries through the rafflecopter format for a chance to win. Winner when notified by email has 48 hours to reply by providing a valid mailing address within the United States to accept the prize. Universal Pictures will be responsible for shipping the prize to the randomly selected winner.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog as we are facilitating this free opportunity as a benefit to our readers.

Meet Gru's Twin Brother in DESPICABLE ME 3

Illumination, the studio behind Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3 which arrives at movie theaters in the USA on June 30, 2017.  Joining in the action of the newest movie is Dru, the twin brother of Gru, who we are introduced to in this new trailer for Despicable Me 3:



Joining Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig in Despicable Me 3 is Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker, co-creator of Comedy Central’s global phenomenon South Park and the Broadway smash The Book of Mormon.  Parker voices the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who’s grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ‘80s, and proves to be Gru’s most formidable nemesis to date.

The question now is what piece to the puzzle does Dru play in the motion picture's plot? While you are waiting for Despicable Me 3 to arrive at theaters to find out the answer to that question have some fun using new Twitter Emojis that appear when using #DespicableMe3 and #Minions that allow you to include images of characters from the movie in your tweets.  You can also follow the movie's official Twitter feed, @DespicableMe, for news and updates about the film.  While you are on Twitter make sure to follow @Geekdad248 to stay in touch with everything A GEEK DADDY is blogging about.

Who else is looking forward to the return of the minions this summer?!

Despicable 3 villain has been unveiled -- Balthazar Bratt

If you were a star in the 1980's then it was guaranteed there was a lunch box with your picture on it.  Metal lunch boxes for children featuring popular characters from cartoons, movies, and television shows were a sign of the times.  I have fond memories of the tin Empire Strikes Back lunch box that I took to school during my elementary school years.  Illumination Entertainment, the animation film production company behind Despicable Me, Minions, and Secret Life of Pets, recently sent A Geek Daddy one of these retro style lunch boxes featuring Balthazar Bratt to tease the upcoming release of Despicable Me 3 which will be arriving at theaters across the United States next summer on June 30, 2017.

Who is Balthazar Bratt?  He's a former child actor who was an international sensation during the 1980's for his role in the top-rated TV show Evil Bratt (1985 - 1987).  Bratt received numerous accolades from the role including back-to-back Kids' Pick Awards for Heart-Throb-biest Leading Actor and a top spot on the Forbes 12-Under-12 List.  At the height of his popularity though, disaster struck! Balthazar hit puberty in the middle of the show's third season and overnight he was no longer the cute, fresh-faced kid who had charmed TV audiences as his voice cracked while delivering lines and acne began covering his face.  His show was cancelled before the final episode of the season could even air and Balthazar Bratt never resurfaced publicly.

It appears from the hint sent by Illumination Entertainment in the form of the mysterious Evil Bratt lunch box that arrived at my house along with a profile page printed out from the online information source Despikipedia that Balthazar is planning a comeback with a vengeance as Gru's adversary in Despicable Me 3.  What dastardly plans does Balthazar Bratt have in store for the world?  Will the Minions save the day? You'll have to find out by going to see the movie when it comes out!

For more information about Balthazar Bratt, visit www.despikipedia.org/evilbratt/