Cute Only Goes So Far

Minions are as cute as ever but quickly lose their charm in new movie

The best part of the Despicable Me series has arguably been the minions, the little yellow henchman of the villain Gru who desperately want to help but always seem to hinder instead. When their role was stepped up in Despicable Me 2, it seemed obvious that they were destined to get their own film, and so Minions has finally arrived.

So how do you get a whole movie out of a group of creatures with an extremely limited vocabulary? The honest answer is that you don’t, really, but that doesn’t stop the filmmakers from trying. A prologue shows the minions’ adventures from throughout history, from the time of the dinosaurs to their interacting with historical figures like Napoleon as they search for a proper villain for whom to be henchmen.

The bulk of the film is set in the late 1960s, as three of the minions — Kevin, Stuart and Bob (all voiced by co-director Pierre Coffin) — stumble upon a villain convention at which Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock) is the headliner. When the trio accidentally proves its worth to her, she takes them under her wing so they can help her dastardly plan: stealing the crown jewels from the Queen of England.

There is, of course, a reason that sidekicks are called sidekicks. If you spend too much time with them, their endearing quirks can turn into annoying ones. When it comes to the minions, it’s not so much that their weird noises and oddly multilingual utterances are bothersome; it’s that they become repetitive and thus quickly lose their charm.

The plot of the film is fine, but there’s nothing utterly compelling about it. Other than the minions’ antics, there’s once again a real sense of fun missing from the film. The film’s biggest conflict, the one between the minion trio and Scarlett Overkill, lacks the requisite punch, and so it feels like the story is just going through the motions until the villain gets her comeuppance.

In order to make up for the film’s failings or to distract from them, the filmmakers have stacked the voice talent with big names. In addition to Bullock, they roped in Jon Hamm as her husband, Michael Keaton and Allison Janney as the heads of a villainous family, Steve Coogan for a couple of minor roles, and Geoffrey Rush as the narrator. As is usually the case, the presence of these stars makes no noticeable difference in the quality of the film one way or the other.

With the box office still being dominated by the stellar Inside Out, which appeals to both kids and adults, it’s difficult not to view Minions as anything more than a lightweight offering. That might be okay some other time, but it just doesn’t cut it now.

Scarlett Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, is the main villain in Minions.

Scarlett Overkill in Minions

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment

Scarlett Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, is the main villain in Minions.

Happy New Year

12 epic New Year's Eve celebrations around Dallas to ring in 2026

Reunion Tower presents NYE Fireworks

Photo courtesy of Reunion Tower

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New Year's Eve across Dallas is full of different ways to celebrate the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. We've compiled some of the most fun and interesting ways to have a good time ringing in the new year, from family-friendly daytime events to comedy shows, dance parties, and fireworks galore.

Below are the 12 of the best happenings around the Dallas area on New Year's Eve. For a longer list of events, head to our calendar.

Epic Waters presents Epic Family New Year
At Epic Family New Year, families can splash into 2026 during a celebration featuring more than $10,000 in hourly giveaways and prizes, live entertainment, games, and the waterpark’s signature slides and attractions. From 1 pm to 1 am, visitors will enjoy an array of programming, including music and duck races in the lazy river. A highlight of the celebration is the Epic Waters Duck Drop, offered multiple times throughout the day so younger guests can enjoy an early countdown before bedtime. The event takes place at Epic Waters indoor waterpark in Grand Prairie.

DJ Diesel's Cotton Bowl New Year's Eve
Just down the road from the big Cotton Bowl/College Football Playoff quarterfinal game will be DJ Diesel's Cotton Bowl New Year's Eve, which includes all-day access to Texas Live! in Arlington beginning at 10 am, and features the post-Cotton Bowl New Year's Eve celebration with a performance by DJ Diesel (a.k.a. Shaquille O'Neal). Game day activities include a Cotton Bowl tailgate party in the Arlington Backyard, live entertainment, and a watch party of the College Football Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on the massive media wall in Live! Arena.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents New Year's Eve
Assistant conductor Shira Samuels-Shragg will lead the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in this “So long 2025!” and “Hello! 2026” celebratory concert on New Year’s Eve, featuring Principal Second Violin, Angela Fuller Heyde. The high-spirited musical revels will include beloved waltzes, polkas, marches, overtures, favorite operetta excerpts, plus a few surprises to help ring in the new year. The event takes place at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents New Year's Eve Photo courtesy of Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Pegasus City Brewery presents NYE Under the Stars: Pegasus Prom
New Year's Eve is going to look a little different (and much more silly) at Pegasus City Brewery in Dallas. They’re rewriting prom night with beer, music, and zero awkward slow dances. Guests are encouraged to dress in any decade/style/vibe of prom-wear and ask their fav person to the dance. Tickets include beer, cider, seltzer, NA options, and Pegasus prom punch; a champagne toast at midnight; late night munchies; games, arcades, pool, and more; and validated parking.

Emerald City Band presents Rock the '26
Emerald City Band will present their annual New Year's Eve party, Rock the '26, featuring a night of high-energy music. Kicking off the night will be a special performance by Lover: The Unofficial Eras Tour with Charity Eden, singing all the favorite Taylor Swift songs. A percentage of every ticket sold will benefit Wipe Out Kids' Cancer, an organization dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer in Dallas-Fort Worth. The event takes place at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

Comedy Trio
If you prefer to laugh while welcoming the new year, you can attend one of three big comedy events. They include New Year’s Eve at Stomping Ground Comedy, featuring Year in Rearview, an interactive improv comedy show fully powered by the biggest life moments of year of the audience members; The Comedy Arena presents New Year's Laughing Eve, featuring a headlining performance by Aaron Aryanpur at the McKinney venue; and Four Day Weekend presents NYE Celebration, taking place at the Dallas location only now that the local improv comedy troupe no longer has a permanent venue in Fort Worth.

Four Day Weekend will perform in Dallas. Photo courtesy of Four Day Weekend

Meow Wolf presents Cosmic Cabaret
Meow Wolf at Grapevine Mills will present Cosmic Cabaret, a New Year’s Eve celebration that brings performance, music, and late-night energy. The exhibition shifts into an after-hours environment shaped by Dallas-Fort Worth performers, roaming characters, and a countdown moment woven through the space. Guests will have full access to explore Meow Wolf Grapevine at night while moving between live DJ sets, special entertainers, and unexpected encounters. The evening’s centerpiece is a feature performance by Nightshade Burlesque.

Gaylord Texan presents Glass Cactus New Year's Eve Bash
Gaylord Texan in Grapevine will ring in the New Year with a performance by Le Freak at their Glass Cactus New Year's Eve Bash. Attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail attire or silver and stone-themed attire; '70s disco/'80s rock 'n' roll flair is acceptable. General admission includes a sparkling rose toast at midnight.

NYE at Hotel ZaZa Dallas
One of a handful of "traditional" New Year's Eve celebrations will take place at Hotel ZaZa in Dallas. At the black and white Masquerade Ball, guests can mask up, mingle, and toast to a sparkling New Year with wine, beer, and cocktails. There will also be a hors d'oeuvres station, live entertainment, midnight countdown, bubbly toast, and photo-ops.

Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower will once again ring in the new year by presenting the annual Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower fireworks show. The show will feature a display of over 5,000 pyrotechnic special effects, a 259 LED light display, and nearly 300 drones. There is no viewing allowed near the tower; viewing can be done at nearby parties or city streets. Reunion Tower’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels will livestream the entire event, allowing viewers from around the world to join the celebration.

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