Minions And Monsters 3D Movie Review

July 04, 2026 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Minions and Monsters, Minions & Monsters, Minions and Monsters 3D, Minions and Monsters 3-D, animated movies, 2026, 3D films, 3d Movie, 3D Movies

Minions And Monsters

3D Movie Review

Written By: Jacob Scarberry

3D

If you’ve seen an Illumination animated film in 3D before, you’ll know they consistently produce some of the best 3D presentations around, and Minions & Monsters is no exception. It’s filled to the brim with stunning depth, natural dimensionality, and constant pop-outs, all without a single flat scene or noticeable flaw.

Even with all the mayhem and shenanigans the Minions are known for, the presentation never causes headaches or vertigo. The entire film is a showcase for great 3D, but if you’re looking for reference-quality material, I’d recommend the early steam train sequence. It offers an excellent preview of the visual spectacle that’s still to come.

Easily the best 3D presentation of the summer, Minions & Monsters is also one of the year’s best 3D experience’s.

Final 3D Score: 10/10, Editors Choice Award

Movie

For 16 years, I've watched every film in the Despicable Me series along with every film Illumination has done, and I can say that they peaked with the first Despicable Me in terms of film quality almost getting to DreamWorks/Disney levels of quality filmmaking, but very quickly falling victim to the lowest common denominator of Hollywood family films of storytelling and making sure merchandise is front and center everywhere in your life for a few months until the hype dies down and then rinse and repeat. I really figured that the series nadir was with the 2015 spin-off Minions would effectively kill off the Despicable Me films, but over $1 billion later, we have had a further 4 films in the franchise, with the latest being the subject of today, Minions & Monsters.

Which starts at a film museum where the tour guide (Voiced by Oscar-winner Allison Janney in a glorified cameo) who tells the story of how the Minions' became legendary movie stars while on their search for their new Big Boss. Three Minion outcasts: James, Henry and Ed (all voiced by director Pierre Coffin) become friends along the Minions' quest of servitude when James repeatedly focuses on his artistic side, much to the dismay of Minion leader, Dick (And acts like his name for much of the film). Their antics cause several of their bosses unceremonious ends due to the trio's lack of focus, which ultimately leads them in the Old West.

The Minions happen upon a horse chase between an outlaw and a group of cowboys chasing after the outlaw, having having believe they struck pay dirt, the Minions give chase, much to the dismay of the outlaw. It leads to a train, a plane, and half of Los Angeles destroyed, and a potential waste of film as the outlaw was an actor in a film, and the director, Max (Christolph Waltz) distraught at the ruined shot. Ordered to screen the footage to the studio heads, brothers Frank & Elwood Bright (both voiced by Jeff Bridges), the brothers love the yellow guys and force Max to hunt for them and make them stars of the silent age.

While their films make them become rich and famous, the advent of sound film ruins the minions careers, and most of the minions set off for servitude of a robot, Bort while the main trio set to make their own film, a monster movie, with the help of a spell book summoning Goomi (Trey Parker, yes that Trey Parker) who plans for world dominance in disguise of making a kaiju fight. More mayhem ensues to save the world and their film from destruction.

I was planning on just writing another review like the previous films I've reviewed of the series (Minions: The Rise of Gru and Despicable Me 4 for those keeping count at home) of it being just okay, made mainly for 5 year olds and their families and not meant for a thirtysomething without children, with the 3D being the best thing about the film and that'd be another Minion-based review done and over with until Despicable Me 5: The ConGruing of Villains in 2028 (not a real film... Yet). Color me surprised that this is easily the best Despicable Me film since the first one, and the best in the Minions subseries of films.

The film is a charming love letter to Hollywood, while extremely loose in actual factual events (though the film is set in 1927, you still have women protesting for women's suffrage well after it had been passed into law, sci-fi films being made despite sci-fi not exactly popular in the silent era, etc.) effortlessly throws in silent era nods to the big stars of the time like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to name a few while also adding some actual nods to the time period (talkies, most editors being women at that time, etc.) that could lead a child's curiosity to learn more about the artistry and the history of the medium.

The film retains the typical Minions physical humor, which the kids of course laughed at and I chuckled quite a bit, but there were adults laughing at other jokes the kids didn't understand, and that surprised me that they actually made adult jokes. Not like double entredres, but actual jokes only adults will understand if they know about classic film or basic American history. The animation is fantastic as usual, with the film oozing with so much fun in each frame, it's amazing that it costs less than half of your typical Pixar/Disney/DreamWorks joint but manages to look as good as those films despite the lowered budget.

Voice acting is well-done by the cast of A-listers, professional voice actors and the director still capably performing as all the walking Twinkies with distinct differences in each character, but the highlight has to go to Trey Parker as Goomi. While distorted by computers, his vocal performance style manages to make it's way through the hi-tech filtering, giving us a fun performance as the main villain of the piece.

The technical aspects are also great, with a fun John Powell soundtrack, the sound being active and busy without being overwhelming, and the cinematography being lovely and colorful throughout, especially amongst the stylized sections focusing on the films being made.

My only real beef with the film is the filler subplot of Bort and his quest for world dominance being affected by a potential relationship with suffragette Debbie. While not useless or outright terrible, it's clearly filler for an already lean story length of 90 minutes and doesn't make much of an impression. There also wasn't much in the way of why Goomi wanted to take over the world, just a rather simple plot that's been told over and over again and I wish the film focused more on the filmmaking aspect more, but other than that, the film is a surprising hoot and a half.

I don't know if the human species really needed more than one Despicable Me film, let alone a massive 7 film franchise that largely allowed itself to be mediocre babysitting films for the younger Gen Z/Alpha kids of the past 15+ years, that's for history to figure out, but I have to give it to this entry in being quality entertainment. It's a breezy 90 minutes with some truly amusing bits and looks spectacular in 3D, and hopefully we get a physical 3D release in the near future as it truly deserves it, and it's great for the entire family and even childless adults who admire the art of filmmaking and film history. Maybe if this film is a hit, we'll finally get the inevitable Minions film set in 1940s Central Europe and then they can include world history events as told by the popular merchandise sold in stores.

Minions & Monsters is proof this franchise can still surprise me. It’s funny, charming, and far more thoughtful about filmmaking than I expected. I didn’t expect one of the year’s best surprises to come from a Minions movie, but I’m glad it did.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://www.minionsmovie.com

Toy Story 5 3D Movie Review

June 19, 2026 by Jacob Scarberry in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Toy Story 5, Toy Story 5 3D, Toy Story 5 3-D, animated movies, Toy Story 5 3D Review, Toy Story 5 3-D Review, Toy Story 5 movie review, Toy Story 5 film review

Toy Story 5

3D Movie Review

Written By: Jacob Scarberry

3D

Ladies and gentlemen, Toy Story 5 is another Pixar 3D presentation, so it’s typically nothing special—pretty good, but not great. Depth is the real star here, as it usually is with Pixar films, with beautifully rendered shots of forests, endless fields, tunnels, streets, and the occasional water scene. It’s all stunning, clean, and impressively photorealistic.

Pop-outs are rare, but given the nature of the plot, they aren’t really missed. The standout moment is a POV shot involving Buzz Lightyear and a deer, with its head and antlers reaching toward the viewer. Another notable sequence takes place on a foggy dock, where the 3D creates a genuinely enveloping atmosphere. I do wish there had been more pop-out moments—especially during the climax—but overall I was pleased with the presentation, even if it’s not Pixar’s strongest 3D outing.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

”…a tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: technology and antiques.” Toy Story is back, and this time it has its sights set on the digital age.

The age of the digital screen has been upon us for quite some time now, with today’s children increasingly enamored with tablets, phones, and smart devices rather than simple toys like dolls, teddy bears, or slinkies—many of which now sit untouched on store shelves. Even classic imaginative toys like LEGO have begun incorporating technology into their sets.

Don’t get me wrong—technology is, for the most part, fantastic. A smartphone puts the entire world at our fingertips. But is it doing more harm than good for the youngest generation? That question sits at the heart of Toy Story 5.

Jessie and the gang are living with Bonnie and are being lovingly played with, but Bonnie is struggling to make friends. Her parents notice her difficulties while the neighborhood kids are increasingly absorbed in their screens. Despite their hesitation, they buy Bonnie the hottest new “toy” on the market: the Lilypad (basically a kid’s iPad).

Almost immediately, the toys grow uneasy as the Lilypad helps Bonnie connect with kids from her dance class. They fear they’re being replaced—and potentially shelved for good. Jessie manages to contact Woody, and a miscommunication over the walkie-talkie leads Woody to return to Bonnie to help sort things out.

When Bonnie attends a sleepover, Jessie and the gang find themselves caught up in an unexpected adventure that challenges what it means to be a “toy” in the digital age.

I was honestly dreading this film. Toy Story 3 felt like such a perfect emotional conclusion back in 2010 for those of us who grew up with the original trilogy. We watched Andy grow from childhood into young adulthood, and it felt like closure. Then Toy Story 4 arrived—while still very good, it felt like a cash grab to extend a franchise that had already said its goodbye.

So, going into a fifth film in what is now a seven-feature franchise (yes—Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins counts in my eyes), I expected to dislike it, even with Andrew Stanton involved as writer/director.

I’m glad to say this is a return to form for the Toy Story series. The film is funny, emotional, and even managed to make me happy cry—not full tears streaming down my face, but enough to genuinely win me over. The voice acting is excellent, especially Joan Cusack as Jessie, alongside a strong mix of returning and new talent including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, Conan O’Brien, and others.

The screenplay is strong, the direction from Andrew Stanton and co-director McKenna Harris is solid, and Pixar’s technical work is, as always, top-tier. This would almost be a perfect film, but a side plot involving a shipwrecked Buzz Lightyear “Star Command” storyline and a Taylor Swift song pulled me out slightly—though that part is subjective, and your mileage may vary.

Overall, Toy Story 5 is a winner. It’s easily the best film of Summer 2026, if not the year. I highly recommend it for fans both old and new. Sit in the theater, enjoy the adventure, and maybe have a good cry—I know I did.

Final Movie Score: 9/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://movies.disney.com/toy-story-5

Read our Review for Toy Story 4 via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/reviews/Toy-Story-4-3D-3-D-Movie-Review

Hoppers 3D Movie Review

March 08, 2026 by adolph vega in 3-D Cinema, 3-D Films, 3-D Movies, 3D or 2D, Hoppers, Disney Hoppers, Pixar Hoppers, 2026, animated movies, Disney

Hoppers

3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

3D

Hoppers delivers solid 3D overall, even if it once again feels like Disney is holding back from fully embracing the format.

The movie features several sequences that make good use of 3-D depth, particularly when showing large environments or distant landscapes. These moments create a convincing sense of scale and space that helps immerse the viewer in the world.

There are also a handful of 3D pop-out effects scattered throughout the film. Various sticks, hands, and other objects occasionally extend slightly off the screen, adding some fun moments of dimensional interaction without becoming overly aggressive.

A few scenes stand out as the most notable uses of the 3-D aspect. An early sequence involving a turtle looks especially good in 3D, with the depth and staging helping sell the environment around the character. Two different dam sequences make effective use of the camera as it moves around the action, creating some nice spatial movement that benefits from the stereoscopic presentation.

There is also a car chase sequence that looks particularly strong in 3D. The movement of vehicles combined with the shifting camera angles creates a convincing sense of speed and depth that works very well with the format.

The film also includes occasional floating effects, where small elements drift through the 3D space. Butterflies and similar objects appear at different depths, adding subtle layers to the scenes.

Water is another area where the 3-D works particularly well. Bubbles have convincing dimensionality, and one scene near the end features water rushing toward the screen in a way that feels exciting and clearly benefits from being presented in 3D. The 3D pulls you into the scene and makes the water look genuinely scary, which works well for that moment.

Not everything works perfectly, however. One darker scene suffers from noticeable ghosting, which becomes distracting and briefly breaks the immersion. The movie also has a few darkly lit moments where the 3-D effect feels somewhat limited.

Overall, the 3D presentation is very good, but it still feels like Disney is playing it safe with the 3-D aspect of Hoppers. The film shows that the format can enhance the experience, yet it rarely pushes the effects as far as it could.

Final 3D Score: 7/10

Movie

Hoppers feels like a blend of old and new Pixar. On one hand, the studio’s classic creativity is present with a strange and imaginative premise. On the other hand, the final product feels closer to some of Pixar’s more recent, less-than-stellar output—interesting ideas that don’t quite come together in a satisfying way.

The story centers on Mabel, a girl who loves animals and eventually finds herself able to exist inside a robotic animal body. Through experimental “Hopper” technology, she talks to and gains the trust of the animals and tries to persuade them to help her mission. Mabel wants to stop the construction of a beltway through land she feels emotionally connected to.

Mabel herself ends up being one of the weaker aspects of the film. She is portrayed as passionate and determined, but her behavior often crosses into reckless, headstrong, and annoyingly arrogant territory. Throughout the movie she makes extremely questionable decisions and often acts without thinking through the consequences. The story occasionally hints that there may be repercussions for her actions, but those consequences feel more like teases than anything of substance. Instead, she largely gets away with everything she does (even the bad stuff), which makes her harder to root for and ultimately makes her a bit annoying as the central character.

We never learn why Mabel has such a strong connection with animals. As an audience we understand why a specific grove has emotional importance for her, but the movie never explains why animals resonate so strongly with her in the first place. This is a critical aspect of her character that is ignored.

It’s an intriguing setup with plenty of potential, but the film moves at such a fast pace that it often feels like 10–30 minutes of story may have been cut, leaving several ideas introduced but never fully explored. Scenes move by so quickly that the movie rarely slows down long enough for moments to breathe. Ironically, this rushed pacing clashes with one of the film’s core themes about slowing down and appreciating the moment. By the time the story reaches its conclusion, the resolution feels a little too convenient and the emotional payoff never fully lands, leaving the ending feeling less earned than it should.

The movie also struggles with some of its story logic. Several elements of the plot feel underdeveloped or inconsistent. For example, at one point the film mentions how dangerous it is to remain inside the robotic animal body for extended periods of time, yet that idea is never fully paid off. It’s introduced as if it will become an important plot point, but the story ultimately moves past it. The robotic bodies themselves are also very inconsistent. At times they appear fragile and vulnerable, while in other moments they seem incredibly durable and capable of withstanding far more punishment. The movie seems to shift their limitations depending on what the scene requires, which further contributes to the sense that the rules of this world were never fully thought through.

Another aspect that raised questions is the way animals communicate in the movie’s world. The film suggests that all animals understand each other regardless of species. Mammals, birds, fish, and insects all appear to communicate seamlessly. While it’s easy enough to accept animals of the same species understanding each other, the idea that every creature shares the same language stretches the logic quite a bit. Shouldn’t the animals have their own grammar and naming conventions for things? The robotic animal body also seems capable of instantly translating and speaking with all of them, which raises even more questions about how the system works. The animals even use human-style naming conventions like “deer dens” or “beaver kits”, which is an interesting detail but further highlights how loosely defined the rules of the world really are.

Of course, this is still an animated movie (aimed for kids) and some suspension of disbelief is expected. However, the film leaves behind enough unanswered questions that it becomes difficult not to notice the inconsistencies (and be bothered by them). The rules of this world are never fully explained, and several aspects of how things work simply don’t make complete sense. It ultimately feels like Pixar had a strong concept but didn’t fully think through how all the pieces of the world should function together. There’s enough plot for an interesting and engaging movie, but it still feels like the story and world should have been deeper. The lore isn’t fully developed—which leads to several potential plot holes and missing details about how this world actually works.

The animation in Hoppers is excellent, with detailed environments and expressive characters that continue Pixar’s high technical standard. The fur on the animals looks especially beautiful and realistic, adding a lot of texture and personality to the characters. Water effects also look fantastic throughout the film, and the forest environments are particularly gorgeous, with lush locations that make the setting feel vibrant and alive. I especially liked how the characters’ eyes transform for different purposes in certain scenes. Visually, Hoppers is a top notch animated film.

The humor also leans slightly darker and more twisted than typical Pixar comedy, which adds some personality and works surprisingly well. Kids will likely enjoy the frantic energy and the emoji-style jokes scattered throughout the film. The movie flows well and I do like the vast majority of the characters (not Mabel). I appreciated the sincerity of some characters, and despite my complaints in this review, I still found the film entertaining and enjoyable.

The music choices in the film are decent but not particularly memorable. The film includes some new original songs, which is appreciated, but they don’t always feel like a perfect match for the tone of the movie. Some older songs are intermixed with the plot elements as well. Overall the music and score are weak enough to slightly hurt my enjoyment of the film.

The film carries themes about nature, empathy, unity, and understanding the world beyond our own perspective, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing. The film doesn’t feel preachy in any way, but it does feel like they couldn’t decide on a theme to stick to. The resolution feels a little too convenient and the emotional payoff never fully lands, leaving the ending feeling less earned than it should. The movie clearly wants the audience to cry at multiple points, but it comes across more like blatant emotional manipulation rather than something truly earned. The various plot inconsistencies and unanswered questions also muddy the themes and morals the film tries to portray.

In the end, Hoppers has an interesting premise with flawed execution. The film has strong animation and several entertaining moments, but the rushed pacing, uneven storytelling, and underdeveloped ideas hold it back from reaching its full potential. Ultimately, as I walked out of the theater, Hoppers left me feeling a bit cold and unsatisfied.

Final Movie Score: 7/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://movies.disney.com/hoppers