“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” a prequel to “Despicable Me,” takes place in the 1970s and not only establishes Gru’s desire to grow up and be a villain, but also how the minions clumsily waltzed into the mini-boss lifestyle.

The minions have been a cultural phenomenon since their first appearance in 2010’s “Despicable Me.” While celebrated for their comedic, short, yellow bean-shaped stature, they feel best utilized in “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” as compared to their prior outings. The writers and animators give the creatures some of the most random comedic beats which stand out in the franchise: from a minion blasting party music at sad moments to a minion taking a cross-country journey on a big wheel. There’s something here for all ages. The humor is carefully crafted to strike a balance between comedy that’s goofy enough to make kids laugh but mature enough to appease the older crowd. That being said, who doesn’t laugh at the occasional fart joke?

As expected, this movie was just a way to bring the minions back to the screen to sell merchandise and keep the brand alive. However, perfectly crafted minion mayhem can’t make up for a relatively average and bland story. Fans of the franchise will be disappointed that the storyline lacks the depth of its predecessors. “Despicable Me” had a rich familial story injected with goofy comedic beats, but “Minions: The Rise of Gru” seems to lack the heart of the original story from Illumination.