In this animated film, Will Ferrell provides the voice of Megamind - a brilliant criminal mastermind who has lived his entire life in the shadow of his do-gooder, cocky nemesis, Metro Man (voice by Brad Pitt). Megamind's latest plot involves kidnapping Metro Man's main squeeze, Roxanne Ritchi (voice by Tina Fey), and, for the first time ever, Megamind wins! Now, he doesn't know what to do with himself.
What will Megamind do without someone to challenge him?
Megamind is hilarious for kids and adults. Writers Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons toss in a fantastic Superman reference that will have the hardest of the hard core movie fans rolling in the aisles, while also making the film silly enough and goofy enough for kids who have never heard of Superman.
I especially loved the opening sequence contrasting the childhoods of Metro Man and Megamind, which sets the stage for their lifelong battle and explains how each one became who he became (especially poignant for those who understand it's easier to believe the world is a wonderful place when you grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth). It has plenty of details for us to sink our teeth into, without forgetting to make the audience laugh.
Then, Ferrell puts in a tour de force type of performance. Sure, you will never forget it is his voice coming from that animated big blue head, but he tempers the Will Ferrell-style that drives detractors screaming from the theater faster than Nancy Pelosi escaping from a Tea Party rally.
Fey, Pitt and David Cross (as Megamind's minion) also make the movie one you want to see this weekend. Pitt and director Tom McGrath give Metro Man an arrogant attitude that makes him more interesting (and proving he's not exactly the purest of pure and nicest of nice), while Fey has the best comedic timing of anyone in the movie, and, probably, of anyone working in movies.
Most of all, it's the twist that keeps the laughs coming. Megamind is a good parody of superhero movies setting the genre on its ear and exploring new territory. What would a villain do without the motivation of battling his nemesis? What happens if he tries to live a normal life and pursue the lady of his dreams?
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Megamind is rated PG for action and some language.
I especially loved the opening sequence contrasting the childhoods of Metro Man and Megamind, which sets the stage for their lifelong battle and explains how each one became who he became (especially poignant for those who understand it's easier to believe the world is a wonderful place when you grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth). It has plenty of details for us to sink our teeth into, without forgetting to make the audience laugh.
Then, Ferrell puts in a tour de force type of performance. Sure, you will never forget it is his voice coming from that animated big blue head, but he tempers the Will Ferrell-style that drives detractors screaming from the theater faster than Nancy Pelosi escaping from a Tea Party rally.
Fey, Pitt and David Cross (as Megamind's minion) also make the movie one you want to see this weekend. Pitt and director Tom McGrath give Metro Man an arrogant attitude that makes him more interesting (and proving he's not exactly the purest of pure and nicest of nice), while Fey has the best comedic timing of anyone in the movie, and, probably, of anyone working in movies.
Most of all, it's the twist that keeps the laughs coming. Megamind is a good parody of superhero movies setting the genre on its ear and exploring new territory. What would a villain do without the motivation of battling his nemesis? What happens if he tries to live a normal life and pursue the lady of his dreams?
3 ½ Waffles (Out of 4)
Megamind is rated PG for action and some language.
