Megamind 3D reviewed (From Your Local Guardian)

Megamind 3D reviewed

8:15pm Monday 29th November 2010

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Starring: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill Director: Tom McGrath

Animated comedy. Certificate: PG

UK release date: December 3, 2010

I arrived at the cinema on Sunday to be greeted by a member of staff who enquired “Are you here to see the ‘Megamind’ screening?”

“Yes I am” came my reply.

“Do you want the 3-D glasses?” she asked.

“Is the film in 3-D?” I said.

“Yes it is.”

I looked at the blank expression on her face and said “Well then 3-D glasses would very much be appreciated”

I bet she probably only earns minimum wage.

Anyway…In this week’s ‘December at the Cinema Movie Nerd preview’ on the Movie Nerd website, I gave Megamind 8 out of 10. Having just seen the preview screening I can now tell you that I was spot on. Although we are all familiar with the Dreamworks logo and gentle theme tune they haven’t really produced a decent animated feature since ‘Shrek 2’ but I think this film will stand up against anything that the Disney stable has to offer.

The films opening scene is very reminiscent of Richard Donner’s action adventure ‘Superman’ (1978). Somewhere on an alien planet two Parents rush to save their child as their world is being destroyed. After a few brief words of farwell they throw their bulbous blue headed baby boy into an escape pod and blast it into space just before the planet evaporates. The space craft hurtles to towards Earth only to be accompanied by a similar craft also containing an alien baby sent from a neighbouring planet. Both pods crash land in Mega City somewhere in America (funny it’s never a city like Liverpool) but the occupants are thrust into our world by completely different upbringings. One of them is raised by a nice middle-class couple, grows up to be a descent and righteous goody two shoes and becomes Metro Man (Brad Pitt) defender of the city. The other baby Megamind unfortunately lands in a top security prison, is raised by convicts, follows the path of an evil genius and is destined to be locked in battle with his Nemesis Metro Man.

In a nice little twist the narrative follows Megamind’s (Will Ferrell) story rather than the archetypal Superhero. And as the audience looking in, we really feel sympathy for the bad guy who as usual always seems to have the best witty lines. When Metro Man is no longer around Megamind needs something to relieve his boredom and with the help of his side kick called Minion (David Cross) they set out to create a new Superhero for Metro City. The problem is that they accidentally target a local TV cameraman called Hal (Jonah Hill). Hal becomes ‘Titan’ but decides it’s much more fun and rewarding to use his new found powers for evil. So, does this mean that Megamind must step up to the plate as the good guy?

The catalyst that links these Super Beings is TV reporter Roxanne Ritchie (Tina Fey). She idolises Metro Man but she in turn is loved by Megamind and her cameraman Hal (Jonah Hill) lusts after her and if he can’t have her no one can.

The reason this film works better than some of Dreamworks more recent efforts is because the writers have developed great characters rather than backing up their animated film with barrel load of famous voice that don’t fit in with the plot. Dreamworks seem to have carefully selected each actor to match the character.

Will Ferrell can be brilliant but can also be really annoying. Here he is brilliant and brings Megamind to life as an evil megalomaniac with a child like quality and has a few funny speech problems and insists on calling the city Metrocity. Brad Pitt does a very good Buzz Lightyear act complete with a narcissistic disorder which suits Metro Man and Jonah Hill is… well Jonah Hill. His character Hal even looks the spitting image of the actor.

Look out for another Superman reference when Megamind pretends to be Titans Father from a far off planet and mumbles his way through a funny Marlon Brando impression. The film also feature’s a great rock soundtrack.

By the way although I got my 3-D specs in the end you don’t really have to see it in 3-D to appreciate the quality. You can probably count the defining 3-D moments on one hand. As I said earlier I give it an 8 out of 10. Great fun!