'Megamind', Dreamworks' latest animated offering is following on from a Summer of some of the best animated movies of all time, 'Toy Story 3', 'How to Train a Dragon' and 'Despicable Me' being some of the hottest options we've had. It feels like other studios have stepped up a level this year, feeling the need to challenge Pixar's dominance as the creme de la creme of the format.
Here, the basic premise follows the titular Megamind, an alien who survives his own planet's destruction and lands on earth along with lifelong rival Metroman. Megamind, who is brought up to a life of sorrow and failure chooses a life of evil villainy, Metroman is a star to all and follows a life of super heroism. Spending much of his life in prison, Megamind dreams up ingenious ways to escape, often including capturing Metroman's girl, Roxanne and wreaking villainy on his rival and the people of Metro City. However, when Megamind seemingly and unexpectedly defeats his arch-nemesis and finally has control of the city, its not all the fun and delicious evil he had dreamed of.
I personally found Megamind to be an absolute blast of a movie. It was funny, clever and visually it was the only movie I've seen in recent times to come close to a Pixar vehicle. That's not to say that Megamind is perfect, it is in fact far from it, there were several elements of the story itself which felt poorly explained to the audience, but I will deal with the Mega-Positives before unleashing my villainous problems with the movie.
Will Ferrell is a man who never ceases to surprise me. I would not call myself a Ferrell fan in any sense of my (or his crazy) imagination. To me, often his movies feel a little flat when compared to similar movies with frequent collaborators Steve Carell and Paul Rudd for example, but every now and then he pulls out a movie that actually is brilliant. For every 'Semi-Pro', he makes 'Anchorman', for every 'Step Brothers', he makes 'The Other Guys.' and here, his Megamind is work of a genius. Deliciously over the top, daft, idiotic and insane yet with a sense of humility and heart is a Ferrell speciality, almost all his many characters possess such qualities, and his unique tones are perfect for the lead character and master villain. I was with rooting for him through-out all his evil moments and all his heart-felt revelations. I would perhaps say it is the best voice work of the year, and if Hollywood ever were to give awards for voice acting (they really, really should do) Ferrell would be my shoe in for top spot. He was the movie, if you're not 'with' Megamind then the movie fails, but not once was he ever more than thoroughly interesting.
That's not to say that his back up cast weren't just as stellar. Tina Fey shone as Roxanne, Jonah Hill puts in a very strong turn as Hal (and I avoid Jonah Hill like the Plague), however both were outshone by the ever-forgotten (and wrongly so) David Cross for his role as Minion. I know you don't know the name, but 'google it' and have that "oh, yeah, that guy" moment. His Villainous Sidekick packs more weight than any sidekick ever has before, he has a whole lot of heart, and a touching scene in the epic climax of the movie makes you realise just how strong Minion and his master's relationship is, and just how important to the movie he is. I'd chose these two over Dr. Evil and Mini-Me any day. Watch what happens when Minion is absent for the third quarter of the movie, you'll find the movie is in a little bit of a lull.
In terms of cameo gold, you have Brad Pitt doing a fine job as idyllic hero Metroman, his rugged tones fitting nicely with the character. Yet in such a small and (in the end) unimportant role, you can't help but wonder why Pitt signed up for it in the first place. Also, look (listen out) for the 'catch it and you'll miss it' line by Ben Stiller, who also produced the movie.
In terms of the story itself, it was so much fun; the start is as epic as animation gets, a hilarious, action filled sort of parody of the common rivalry between hero and villain, the regular crocodile tank, chainsaws, laser guns, 'tied to a chair damsel in distress', it throws you right into the world in the best way possible, then it flips the script, catching me off guard and leaving you wondering where the story is headed. The entirety is full of jokes for kids and adults alike, some I felt even perhaps above the younger ages, and even at times veers into dark places, Ferrell especially mastering the changes in tone and working them to perfection.
As several predictable but enjoyable plot twists set up the inevitable confrontation the movie still manages to pack a punch, a nice twist revolving around a bearded man with a guitar was not expected. When it becomes clear that the key relationship in the movie is between Roxanne and Megamind, you're totally with the unlikely duo and it makes 'Megamind' all the better for it.
Needless to say the movie has a few problems. At times the storyline is a little confusing, Megamind's chopping and changing characters with his laser gun could confuse, and you can't help but wish it wasn't Megamind pretending to be 'Brandon' or 'Alien Father', as the film lulls when Ferrell has to restrain himself. Often I wish for Ferrell to turn it down a notch, so that's a sentence I don't often say!
Also, the feel of the city is very bizarre, and not fully understanding the world I was in felt a little off and distracting. Humans welcome these superheroes with no question... it's a city which feels like a city yet also the whole world in one. It is unclear, and the lack of scope beyond the city walls was a failing in my opinion. I didn't know where we were. That's screen-writing 101!
Nevertheless, I would get out of your armchairs, grab yourself a pair of 3D specs and go watch one of the funniest and most entertaining animations of the year.
Unlike anything Megamind himself would come up with, that's one master-plan I assure you will not fail...
7.5/10
Adam
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