Megamind together with The Incredible (2004) are movies that would fit in today with the superhero deconstruction that is very much in now. It's interesting to see a movie like this being so ahead of the curve and serving a delightful comedy at the same time. It sadly falls into some DreamWorks tropes that make it stagger a bit at times, but overall it's a solid and very impressive movie that really wants to take the superhero mythos and ask questions about it in the most mature yet simple way possible. Throw in some great voice acting and okay animation, and you have an overall strong animated movie that definitely deserved more praise than it got.
After the super villain Megamind finally accomplishes his goals, he is left without purpose. He determines a superhero adversary is the only way to regain it.
What this movie does best is analyzing and deconstructing the superhero and villain mythos in the best way possible. It does it in such a simple and unproblematic way, compared to all the over the top and edgy deconstruction we have now. The modern trope is that it's funny the superheroes are doing all the things they are not supposed to do, and that's more or less all they end up doing. This can still work and be entertaining, of course, but having an animated movie more or less do it better than they ever could it, and that's somehow hilarious to think about. The movie tackles the superhero myth in the best way people, asking about the choice of the hero and the villain and what it really means to be both. The 3 characters Metroman, Megamind and Titian are all great analysis on what great power can be used for and who wields it matters a lot. Furthermore, it raises questions about classic roles and comes together to make a great superhero movie.
The movie is sadly hit by a lot of studio vs creatives. From the opening, to the pop songs, to the at times cringe dialogue to the end dance party, this movie could have been a classic if it didn't have these pandering elements to them. A more mature yet fun story would really have elevated the movie.
While the soundtrack is fun, it can feel out of place and awkward at times. In general the songs feel like a part of the movie, but at the same time it seems added to add the "Shrek effect" which all DreamWorks movies tried to replicate when they found a successful formula and that also is in terms of the elements mentioned before. What I'm trying to say is that I see so much wasted potential here to make a truly incredible movie instead of just a great one.
The voice acting is pretty good all around, being both fun and energetic. The humor and emotions are voiced well, and the actors really blend into their roles. Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill and especially David Cross delivers some really great performances. Sadly not everyone do, I felt that the character Tina Fey sounded more read, but that might also be the lines at times. The lines are overall okay and the humor lands for the most part, but sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes the dialogue can sound a bit out there.
But you are getting a fun and simple story here. Not overstaying its welcome and having the fun twist and turns it needs to have an enjoyable movie. It could have had more runtime, in my opinion, but it's really not necessary for what it tries to do.
Megamind was as said ahead of its time, and it's sad to see that the DreamWorks producers might have tried to make it more marketable, since I really think it could have been a perfect animated movie otherwise. With such a great take on the superhero myth, with great voice acting, humor and story, you get a really solid movie all around.
After the super villain Megamind finally accomplishes his goals, he is left without purpose. He determines a superhero adversary is the only way to regain it.
What this movie does best is analyzing and deconstructing the superhero and villain mythos in the best way possible. It does it in such a simple and unproblematic way, compared to all the over the top and edgy deconstruction we have now. The modern trope is that it's funny the superheroes are doing all the things they are not supposed to do, and that's more or less all they end up doing. This can still work and be entertaining, of course, but having an animated movie more or less do it better than they ever could it, and that's somehow hilarious to think about. The movie tackles the superhero myth in the best way people, asking about the choice of the hero and the villain and what it really means to be both. The 3 characters Metroman, Megamind and Titian are all great analysis on what great power can be used for and who wields it matters a lot. Furthermore, it raises questions about classic roles and comes together to make a great superhero movie.
The movie is sadly hit by a lot of studio vs creatives. From the opening, to the pop songs, to the at times cringe dialogue to the end dance party, this movie could have been a classic if it didn't have these pandering elements to them. A more mature yet fun story would really have elevated the movie.
While the soundtrack is fun, it can feel out of place and awkward at times. In general the songs feel like a part of the movie, but at the same time it seems added to add the "Shrek effect" which all DreamWorks movies tried to replicate when they found a successful formula and that also is in terms of the elements mentioned before. What I'm trying to say is that I see so much wasted potential here to make a truly incredible movie instead of just a great one.
The voice acting is pretty good all around, being both fun and energetic. The humor and emotions are voiced well, and the actors really blend into their roles. Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill and especially David Cross delivers some really great performances. Sadly not everyone do, I felt that the character Tina Fey sounded more read, but that might also be the lines at times. The lines are overall okay and the humor lands for the most part, but sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes the dialogue can sound a bit out there.
But you are getting a fun and simple story here. Not overstaying its welcome and having the fun twist and turns it needs to have an enjoyable movie. It could have had more runtime, in my opinion, but it's really not necessary for what it tries to do.
Megamind was as said ahead of its time, and it's sad to see that the DreamWorks producers might have tried to make it more marketable, since I really think it could have been a perfect animated movie otherwise. With such a great take on the superhero myth, with great voice acting, humor and story, you get a really solid movie all around.