Adding to a long list of musical cameos in film, it will not be difficult to spot an homage to a Van Halen classic in “Minions,” an animated comedy premiering today across the country.
Here’s a little VHND exclusive as we head into the weekend… “Eruption,” Eddie Van Halen’s explosive guitar solo that turned the music world on its ear in 1978, makes an entertaining appearance near the end of “Minions,” a prequel/spinoff to the “Despicable Me” franchise.
When Stuart, one of the Minions — you know, those little yellow nearly impossible-to-understand pipsqueaks that aspire to nothing more than serving super villain overlords — is handed a guitar, although he is told it is a “super mega ukulele,” he plucks a few tentative notes before going full frenetic and blasting out a 20-second burst of “Eruption.” The clip touches on a variety of concert clichés, with Stuart pointing to the sky, kicking over onstage items, playing with his tongue, making women swoon and a policeman scream before he finally lays waste to the instrument by smashing it to pieces in true rock star fashion.
The film is expected to be a hit among the kid crowd, so millions and millions of youngsters will be exposed – not quite in the same manner as some of the animated “concert attendees” in the film, however – to the guitar virtuosity of Van Halen.
In addition to catching “Eruption” on a movie theater near you – we highly suggest catching the master himself playing it live as Van Halen hits outdoor amphitheaters across the country now through October.
Minions Trailer: