The Rise Of Gru Ending Explained

Unsurprisingly, "Minions: The Rise of Gru" is about Gru maturing into new levels of infamy. Whereas at the start of the film, Gru is but a boy with a cheese ray, by the movie's end, he has bested his former idols, the Vicious 6, in a battle over the Zodiac Stone, spent several days under the expert tutelage of his favorite bad guy, Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin), and recruited Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) as his own personal mad scientist.

It's 1976, and Gru's machinations are mainly limited to childish pursuits like skipping to the front of the ice cream line and having the run of the arcade until he gets a chance to interview with the Vicious 6, his favorite supervillain team. He loves palling around with the Minions, but this is his dream. When Gru's turned down, he swipes the Zodiac Stone, only to have Otto the Minion lose it. Furious, Gru fires all the Minions.

Gru tries to go it alone but is immediately abducted by Wild Knuckles, former Vicious 6 leader. In a twist of fate, Gru and Wild Knuckles form a connection, and Gru sees what an asset it is to have henchmen — not only to do things for you around the house but also to keep you company. When the Vicious 6 are defeated through teamwork, it's that rediscovered bond with his Minions that inspires Gru to rehire them.