Review: Megamind

Grade: A-

When Megamind was just a small baby, his parents launched him off the planet in small rocket while their planet was being destroyed, as did a family on a near planet. Both rockets ended up on Earth in Metro City. The other boy grew up to become Metro Man, savior of Metro City. Megamind, on the other hand, grew jealous of Metro Man’s popularity and became his sworn enemy. Over the years the two fought over and over, usually after Megamind would kidnap the beautiful Roxanne Ritchi. One day, Megamind finally accomplishes his goal and manages to kill Metro Man and take over the city. Now with Metro Man out of the picture, though, Megamind becomes bored and begins to concoct a new evil plan to save him from his boredom. At the same time, while in disguise, he begins to fall for Roxanne and question his way of life.

Megamind is a very fun take on an old story of superheroes and their nemesis. This movie answers the age old question “What would happen if the villain actually won?” Well, the answer harkens back to the conversation Batman had with the Joker in The Dark Knight when the Joker says “I won’t kill you because you’re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.” It is really entertaining to watch Megamind run around the city after he finally wins but then getting bored at the lack of excitement because he has nobody to fight.

Megamind is a very fun and entertaining movie to watch. It manages to be consistently funny throughout, throwing out gags and jokes left and right. It is also a ton of fun to keep an eye out for all of the Superman references, of which there are many. One interesting aspect of this movie is its soundtrack. It consists of many bands and songs that I think it’s main demographic won’t know or recognize. It consists of songs by AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses and George Thorogood. The songs fit in the movie really well though and make it that much more fun.

Will Ferrell (The Other Guys, Stranger Than Fiction) voices Megamind and is hilarious in the role. Ferrell really manages to bring this character to life and make him fun and entertaining. One of the more entertaining things about the character is the random words that he would mispronounce. Ferrell really helps make this movie what it is and I don’t think it would have been the same without him. Tina Fey (Date Night, TVs 30 Rock) does the voice of Roxanne Ritchi. Fey is always funny and does a great job with the role in this movie. David Cross (Alvin and the Chipmunks, TVs Arrested Development) does the voice of Minion, Megamind’s best friend. I’ve always found his funny and he really did a great job with the voice of this character. Brad Pitt (Burn After Reading, Ocean’s 11) does the voice of Metro Man. I am a huge fan of Pitt’s but it really wasn’t necessary for him to do this voice. The character is hardly in the movie and he doesn’t have the most recognizable voice, in fact at times I think he sounds more like George Clooney. The movie also features the voices of Jonah Hill, J.K. Simmons and Ben Stiller.

Megamind is a fantastic kids movie but it’s another one of those great ones that adults can love too. I know I really enjoyed this movie and would watch it again. I really have to recommend this movie to everyone, it is just plain fun. As a note, in terms of seeing this in 3D or IMAX 3D, it was ok in these formats and it's up to you if you want to spend the extra money on these formats, but the film plays just fine in standard 2D.

Great quote: “Coming up: Are you ready to be a slave army? 10 things you need to know.”