MEGAMIND

US, 2010, 95 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, Tom Mc Grath, J.K. Simmons.
Directed by Tom Mc Grath.

Megamind is the inflated name of a galactic being that could have been a superhero but opted for the dark side. Like the hero of Tangled, he begins the film by telling us that he is falling to his death. As if... He reminds us that he started out from another planet as baby, grew up on earth and launched his evil career because he landed in a prison rather than in a wealthy mansion (starting like Superman but turning bad). During his school days, he confronted another intergalactic child who becomes Metroman, the hero.

So, this is an amusing variation of good versus evil, animation style (and 3D if you choose).

But, we are asked not to judge on mere appearances. Megamind is small, blue and is accompanied by his fishy henchman, Minnion , who helps him with his dastardly tasks. Obviously, the city is not to keen on Megamind and embraces the heroism of Metroman – who suddenly seems to be vanquished and disappears. In the middle is the Lois Lane variation, Roxanne.

But, it is not as simple as all that. Out with Metroman. Megamind is frustrated with no good character to challenge him. Then, he does the Frankenstein thing and transforms a cameraman, Hal, into a hero, Titan, who then opts for evil himself. What is a supervillain to do!

Megamind has the ability to shape shift and assume other appearances (like Bernard, Roxanne’s office associate), so off he goes to rescue Roxanne and save the city. Can he succeed, especially if he is falling to his death?

This one may not stay in the memory all that long but it is enjoyable while it is there. The animation is both traditional as well as doing some satirical drawings of heroes and villains.

The voices come from Will Ferrell doing a range of odd accents as Megamind, while Jonah Hill does not disguise his voice or mannerisms at all as Titan. Tina Fey is a vigorous Roxanne, David Cross a sweet Minnion, Ben Stiller is Bernard (when Megamind is not taking him over) and Brad Pitt is Metroman.

Probably, Megamind would not have minded being Despicable Me.

1. An entertaining animated film? Story, characters, action and satire?

2. For the young audience, for the older audience?

3. The style of the animation, characters, space, the city? Buildings, streets? Action sequences? Outer space?

4. The voice cast and humour? Musical score?

5. The introduction, Megamind falling to his death, the voice-over about his career, failure? Setting the tone? His commentary about his life story?

6. The history of Megamind, in space, the parody of Superman the Movie, his parents sending him to Earth, his rival being sent at the same time, the two different landings, his rival and the mansion, his bouncing away into prison?

7. His growing up, the prison background, his rival, the competitive nature of their rivalry at school, sport?

8. The adult Megamind, Metro Man and his popularity, Megamind and his antagonism, his feats, confronting Metro Man?

9. Roxanne, media, her job, the interviews, Hal and his carrying the camera, his type?

10. The confrontation, the defeat of Metro Man, the populace and their reaction?

11. Megamind, Minion and his appearance, voice, tricks?

12. Megamind and his voice, his reputation, being rather small, his lamenting the fact that there was no-one good to fight?

13. Disguising himself as Bernard, Roxanne and the bond, his deceiving her by shape-shifting from Megamind to Bernard? Roxanne believing him? His deciding to go to jail, his sense of failure, the warden? His getting out – he and Minion tricking the warden and imprisoning him? The warden’s comment?

14. His decision to create a new rival? Hal, Tighten? His power, his voice, continuing that of Hal? His costume, vanity, changes, the swathes of destruction?

15. Megamind and Roxanne, his deciding that he had to fight Tighten? The discovery that Metro Man was still alive, his explanation of his retirement? Vanishing? Megamind disguising himself as Metro Man, the defeat of Tighten?

16. Minion, the end, the jokes?

17. Megamind and his reforming himself? With Roxanne?

18. Heroes, superheroes, villains – and the amusing variation on the theme, parody?