Megamind (Paramount/DreamWorks)
Nevermind
Megamind has the misfortune of being an ordinary animated movie in a time of classic animated movies. If you compare it to How To Train Your Dragon, Toy Story 3, or Despicable Me it comes up short. For children that probably wont matter, but adults who have seen better will possibly say nevermind to this one.
The story gets off to a slow start as Megamind (voiced by Will Ferrell) and Metro Man (Brad Pitt) are both sent as infants from faraway planets. Metro Man grows up in a life of comfort and ease while Megaminds spacecraft lands in a prison. No wonder he grows up to be the bad guy while Metro Man is constantly the good one.
Covering their careers is TV reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey) She and her cameraman Hal (Jonah Hill) are always present when any event occurs. Also present is Megaminds loyal aide Minion (David Cross).
When Megamind finally bests Metro Man, things change in Metro City. Megamind becomes bored. He needs someone as an adversary. So he creates Titan to be the good guy to his evilness but that doesnt work out the way he planned.
As you can tell that is a lot of plot for an animated comedy. Getting it all done slows the pace of the film and lessons the impact of the fun and humor. This is not a laugh a minute film and the pace need to be quicker. There also needs to be more heart in the movie but it is never there.
Ferrell is very good as the voice of Megamind, especially when he switches to a Marlon Brando accent for certain scenes. Fey also adds humor with her delivery but Brad Pitt is wasted as Metro Man. You wonder why he even bothered joining the cast.
Do take note of the Prison Warden in the film. It seems the animators looked at fifties actor Arthur OConnell for inspiration. It is a complete caricature.
The film is rated PG for comic violence.
Kids will generally enjoy the film with all of its action hero clashes, but for older viewers it is a little disappointing. The story, the jokes, the emotion are all lacking. In any other year this would probably be a very appreciated movie but in the sweep of the past twelve months animated features have become hugely entertaining for all ages. Megamind is entertaining but it isnt at that upper level.
I scored Megamind a mindless 6 out of 10.
