Most people remember with affection the films they grew up with, whether they were about big adventures or little ones. But whenever there’s conflict, there’s usually a villain. And, right behind them – a devious sidekick. Some of them are so stupid it hurts, while others are rebellious and cheeky. Whatever the story, the minion is often just as important as the villain. They bring out a side to their boss that we wouldn’t otherwise see.
This is an article about the top 10 evil minions from when I was growing up, and why they are my favourites:
10) Brer Bear (Song Of The South)
"I'm gonna knock his head clean off!"
This is a classic oldie – Uncle Remus telling little Jonny about the tales of Brer Rabbit and the other animals back in the time of the “zip-a-dee doo dah days” of his youth. When over-confident Brer Rabbit falls afoul of sneaky predator Brer Fox, it’s not always easy to escape, but by tricking the fox’s irritable sidekick Brer Bear he usually gets away unscathed. Bullied and temperamental, Brer Bear is only slightly less sensible than Brer Fox, but he is still dominated by his arrogant companion enough to make him eligible to be my number ten.
9 ) Shenzi, Banzai and Ed – The Hyenas (The Lion King)
"No king, no king, la la la la la la..."
One of the first films I went to see at the cinema, The Lion King set the standard for sidekicks with the clumsy trio of hyenas under Scar’s control. Though they do manage some clever tasks, such as startling the buffalo herd into a stampede and chasing the infant Simba from the kingdom, they generally argue and bicker more than work, and are quick to sweet-talk when they find themselves in danger. Loyal to nobody but the next meal, the hyenas are fantastic minions, and a sore loss from the sequel.
8 ) Mr. Smee (Peter Pan)
"This ain't no place for a respectable pirate."
I couldn’t make a top 10 without including Captain Hook’s bumbling first mate, Mr Smee. Though he follows Hook’s orders without question, you can tell he has a conscience of his own, and often brings out a softer side to the captain. In some ways, Smee’s relationship with Captain Hook reminds me of Smithers and Mr. Burns from The Simpsons… but this is a film top 10, so I couldn’t add them in too.
7 ) Dijon (Duck Tales: The Movie – Treasure of the Lost Lamp)
"Everything smells delicious when you're rich... even me!"
The suspicious pickpocket is quick to turn the tables on anyone to get himself out of a sticky situation. Employed by sorcerer Murdock, he soon turns tails on the ducks as their guide when the time comes, but once he has a chance to own the magic lamp and control the genie himself, he even betrays Murdock by stealing Scrooge McDuck’s fortune. Greedy and self-serving, Dijon is amusing till the end, taking whatever opportunity he finds to be rich.
6 ) LeFou (Beauty and the Beast)
"Gaston is the best, and the rest is all dr-ips!"
When Gaston’s attempts to woo the beauty of the town, Belle, go disastrously wrong, it’s his plucky little tag-along, LeFou, that rips him more than anyone. Despite giving the air of being a joke to everyone else, he still has the guts to tease and belittle people when he gets the chance. He does get bullied into standing guard for Belle’s father, Maurice, but when he gets the chance to be malicious and goad Gaston into action he always takes it.
5 ) Max (Cats Don’t Dance)
"How does the kitty cat go?"
Darla Dimple is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars – and also the biggest brat in town. When naively hopeful dancing cat Danny comes along, she’s determined to destroy his reputation and career with the help of her towering manservant, Max. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more confusing combination, with Darla’s hair being delicately blow-dried and curled by a man who looks like he could walk through Ayers Rock and come out the other side without feeling it! Although he’s far from being a gentle giant when he deals with anyone else but Darla. He’s so high up on my favourites list purely for the moment when he starts to dance to one of the animals’ songs – classic!
4 ) Kronk (The Emperor’s New Groove)
"You know, in my defense, your poisons all look alike. You might think about re-labeling some of them."
Adorably dim, Kronk is the kind of minion you want to keep as a pet. Loyally doting on Emperor Kuzco’s sleazy advisor Yzma, he does the cooking and chores, talks to woodland creatures, has a shoulder anger AND a shoulder devil, and despite his allegiance he is one of the most warm-hearted villains around. If I was ever to hatch an evil scheme, you can guarantee I wouldn’t be able t0 see it through without employing someone like Kronk.
3 ) Sir Hiss (Robin Hood)
"Sire, if you don't mind my saying, you have a very loud thumb."
One of my favourites from when I was a child had to be Disney’s Robin Hood, with the witty fox bandit stealing the gold from luckless Prince John under the watchful nose of the Sheriff of Nottingham. But the prize for most engaging sidekick had to go to Sir Hiss, the prince’s servant. Slithering around sulkily, the well-spoken snake is relentlessly bullied by most of the other characters, and though he has the brains to make a difference he is very seldom listened to.
2 ) Iago (Aladdin)
"Oh there's a big surprise! That's an incredible - I think I'm going to have a heart attack and die of not surprise!"
Nicknamed after the devious Othello character, Iago the parrot is Jafar’s lackey in the first Aladdin film. Admittedly, I didn’t take as big a shine to him untill I watched the sequel, Return of Jafar, but in every Aladdin film he has brought charm and amusement. Direct, irritable and generally grouchy, Iago’s wicked nature and cheeky personality make him a fantastic villain, but he later proves to have a good heart when it matters.
1 ) Bartok (Anastacia)
"Is this the face of a bat who would lie to you?"
Never in all the animated films I’ve watched have I encountered a more delightful sidekick than Bartok from Anastasia. When despicable advisor Rasputin decided to take out the Romanov family, he obeys orders with intense loyalty. But unlike most other minions, Bartok’s relationship with his boss seems to contain more than just respect. There’s an element of admiration, and the feeling that his loyalty to Rasputin is more of a choice than most other characters on this list. I love the way Bartok is accidentally funny, with his little dances and the things he comes out with. He would be my number one minion of choice if I ever decided on world domination… or if I just wanted to have a minion.
