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Minions: The Rise of Gru - 2022

Minions: The Rise of Gru - 2022
Movie Info

Rating: PG


Age-appropriateness: slapstick comedy, some violence


Overview: The untold story of one twelve-year-old's dream to become the world's greatest supervillain.


Themes: evil, leadership, teamwork, power, loyalty, purpose/calling, ambition, pride, adoption, bullying, potential, death/grieving, dependency

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Evil. Why do you think some people decide to do bad things? What impact does that kind of evil have on the world and on other people?

  • The Vicious 6 were a group of super villains that wanted to be the greatest villains in the world. Instead of doing good, helping others, and acting selflessly, they decided to be bad.

  • Here's an article on How to Talk to Your Kids About Satan/Evil.

2. Purpose/calling. What do you think your purpose in life is? Why do you feel called to that?

  • Ever since he was a little boy, Gru wanted to be a super villain. Gru says it’s “all he’s ever wanted.” He was very ambitious, but his ambition was re-directed from good things to bad things. He thought his purpose in life was to be a bad guy. Ephesians 4:1-2 talks about embracing your calling with humility: "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love."

  • Check out this article on How to Talk to Your Kids About Their Purpose/Calling.


3. The potential of kids. Do you ever feel like people look down on you because you are young? Why do you think children are capable of so much?

  • Many people looked down on Gru and didn’t expect much from him. They thought that - because he was a child - he wasn’t capable of much. Master Chow says, “even the smallest of us are capable of great things”. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. The Vicious 6 were a group of super villains that wanted to be the greatest villains in the world. Instead of doing good, helping others, and acting selflessly, they decided to be bad. Why do you think some people decide to do bad things? What impact does that kind of evil have on the world and on other people?


2. Ever since he was a little boy, Gru wanted to be a super villain. Gru says it’s “all he’s ever wanted.” He was very ambitious, but his ambition was re-directed from good things to bad things. He thought his purpose in life was to be a bad guy. Ephesians 4:1-2 talks about embracing your calling with humility: "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love." What do you think your purpose in life is? Why do you feel called to that?


3. Many people looked down on Gru and didn’t expect much from him. They thought that - because he was a child - he wasn’t capable of much. Master Chow says, “even the smallest of us are capable of great things”. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Do you ever feel like people look down on you because you are young? Why do you think children are capable of so much?


4. Every villain wanted to gain more and more power. They all wanted to be the most important people in the world. Pride is feeling that you are the best and most important. Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." What do you think made these villains so prideful? When have you wanted to get more and more power?


5. As a full group, the Minions were able to work together to do amazing things. Together, they accomplished far more than any of them would be able to do on their own. Gru learned to “find your tribe and never let them go”. 1 Corinthians 12 talks a lot about how every person is important in the church. We all make up different parts of one body, which needs all of the different parts in order to function. Verses 25-27 say, "This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." What are the best parts of a team coming together? Why do you think we need others in order to do awesome things?


6. The Minions loved Gru and wanted him to adopt their entire crew. They were looking for a leader and were hoping that Gru would take them in. What questions do you have about adoption? Why is adoption such an incredible thing?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:06 Belle Bottom got rid of Wild Knuckles because she wanted to be the leader of the villain group. Wild Knuckles asked where her loyalty was. She answered, “we’re villains, there is none”. Loyalty is showing trust and constant support for someone. How loyal of a person would you describe yourself to be? Why do you think villains show no loyalty?


:15 Kevin, Bob, and Stuart wanted to sleep with Gru at nighttime. They loved being close to Gru. Who do you love being close to? Why is that person so special to you?


:20 Gru told the Minions that he wanted to go to his interview with the Vicious 6 without them. The Minions followed him because they didn’t want to miss out. What do you think the Minions were feeling in this moment? Have you ever felt that way?


:25 Belle Bottom rejects Gru because he’s a child. She tells him, “you really think a kid could be a villain?” Why do you think she immediately dismisses Gru? Has anyone ever done that to you?


:32 Otto traded the Zodiac Stone for a pet rock. Gru was furious, saying that the Minions mess everything up. He then fired them and leaves, saying that he’ll be better off on his own. How do you think this makes Gru feel? Do you agree that sometimes it's easier to get things done on your own, without the help of others?


:42 Gru meets one of his heroes, Wild Knuckes. And Gru even received a compliment from his role model. Who are your role models? Can you think of the best possible compliment you could ever receive?


:47 Master Chow sees that the henchmen are picking on the Minions. She immediately stands up for the Minions and confronts the bullies. What is the appropriate way to respond when you see that someone is being picked on? Why do you think some people are mean to other people?


:51 Master Chow trains the Minions in kung fu. She encourages them to fulfill their potential by saying, “doubt only exists in the mind.” What are some things that you doubt about yourself? Do you think that doubt can be overcome?


1:03 Wild Knuckles and Gru pull off a heist together. They say they make a pretty great team. Wild Knuckles says he’s going to teach Gru all sorts of villainous things. 2 Timothy 2:2 talks about the importance of passing along the things you learn in life: "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." Who are some people who have taught you a lot of things? What makes someone a really good mentor?


1:07 Wild Knuckles gives up, sending Gru home. Gru feels lonely, sad, and disappointed that he couldn’t create a villainous duo with his hero. When was the last time you felt lonely, sad, and disappointed? What's a healthy way to express those emotions?


1:13 The Minions listened to the teachings of Master Chow, which changed everything in their fight against evil. She said that they needed to tap into the power within them. All Christians have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them, which is the power of God living within someone. Acts 5:32 says, "We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” What do you think it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit?


1:15 When the Vicious 6 attacked Gru, the Minions stepped in and saved him. Jesus sacrificed Himself, being willing to take on our punishment on the cross. Because of Jesus, we have been saved from our sins. Jesus stepped in and saved us, offering us the gift of grace and eternal life. Why do you think Jesus sacrificed Himself for you? Did you realize that, because of your sins, you were in a certain amount of trouble that you could never save yourself from?


1:17 Gru honors Wild Knuckles at the funeral. Gru promises to make his hero proud. Gru reflects on the lessons that he learned from Wild Knuckles. Who is someone who is no longer in your life? How can you honor that person's memory?

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