Two Fist Bumps for “Megamind”!

Smart, satirical, and slapstick, “Megamind” has a deeper message than one would think in an animated film starring Will Ferrell. The interplay between Megamind and Metroman in Metrocity (rhymes with “atrocity” according to our titular character) is explored with more heart and soul than in any film since “The Incredibles”. Each character’s history is explored, and we see that it’s the setting in which they are nurtured that determines their lives. Megamind’s landing in a prison as a child ensures that he grows up to be the villain, while Metroman’s landing in prosperity results in him being the good guy.

A predictable plot twist might have been for the roles to be switched, for Metroman to somehow become the villain and Megamind the hero. Metroman, however, does not make a polar opposite transition, but rather is finally defeated by Megamind. This genius move by the scriptwriters allows Megamind to get what he’s always wanted- dominion over Metrocity. The cliché “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it” becomes Megamind’s reality and he longs for purpose once again. Enter the real antagonist of the story, Titan. Longing to get the girl of his dreams, his entrance into the superhero realm by way of Megamind’s invention, causes him to ultimately use his powers for his own selfish ends. If he can’t get what he wants, he’s going to make Metrocity pay! It’s up to Megamind to make things right, for the first time fighting as the good guy.

Much can be extrapolated about us and what goes into our identity. Our reaction to how we are treated by others, the choices we make, and the environment that influences us all contribute to whether we are the good guy, the bad guy, or someone in between. Not all of us start out life as a Superman-esque person, morally upright in all that we do. There are those of us who grow from being some sort of bad guy to some sort of good guy. Of course Hollywood films will dichotomize these roles for mass audience consumption, but if we look closely enough at ourselves there’s a Megamind in all of us; someone who has hurts and rejection from the past but who also struggles to make right choices in a world that needs more heroes than villains.

I’m sure that Megamind would agree.