I was sitting in Cathay Pacific Business Class (you know, the one with the fully-reclining seats and duvets) when I watched this film.
Other than getting a kick ass upgrade on a 15-hour flight, Megamind wasn’t exactly...great. At all. No really. AT ALL.
Ok, let’s be honest-it was a cute idea. I’ll give the film that, but a cute idea can only get you so far. But not even the prologue got me into the film, it just seemed...filler. Useless filler, which makes it even worse.
I guess my main concern/annoyance was Will Ferrell’s voice. His most relatable role to Megamind would have to be Mugatu in Zoolander, but unlike Mugatu, Megamind doesn’t actually seem to have a spiteful, deadly bone in his body.
Much concern/annoyance was had over this Lady Gaga outfit.
Back to the idea, though-what would happen if hey, Lex Luthor actually defeated Superman? We never question this because, hello? Lex Luthor, while maniacally rich, has like, a billion weaknesses. Supes? Has one. Well, two if you count Lois Lane. Three, for Jimmy Olsen. Four, no-five for the Kents...ok fine, he has more than one weakness, but he’s indestructible. So the concept of him being defeated is just silly, really.
So when Megamind finally kills off Metro Man, it’s a Big Deal. Just what does a super villain do once he’s accomplished his life’s goal? Is there a Step Two? It’s one thing to have a plan, but quite another to follow through. Sure, the world will be evil, but it always seems as if the purpose of an Evil Overlord in the making is to always have an opponent to make yourself feel better about winning all the time-it’s the masochist in them.
What? They’re Evil Overlords, it comes with the territory.
Which is exactly why someone needs to make this film without the U certificate. And without the animation. And without Will Ferrell. And maybe written by Joss Whedon. And starring Neil Patrick Harris. Let’s call this new successful bad guy Dr. Horrible while we’re at it...
Nevermind.
I’m not sure what the story behind Megamind is supposed to be-that not all bad guys are jerks? That good guys are jerks? That bad guys are crap at following through and should never be trusted even though you gave them your number and they said they’d call-
Eh hem.
A Blouche and A Douche.
My point is, I don’t think the film even knows what it’s supposed to be saying. Megamind is terrible at being evil, flukes his way to victory, is even worse at being evil after the fact, and then actually purposefully deceives the female lead (Fey) into thinking he’s someone he’s not so he can kiss her (which she does-rape?), and then portrays himself as a victim.
Something about judging a book by it’s cover, mayhaps? But he’s been “evil” (or at least trying) the ENTIRE FILM, how else is she supposed to judge him?
Ok, society pressures pushing us into our cookie cutter shapes? Being forced to conform with what people think we are, thus enacting the self-fulfilling prophecy?
No, this just isn’t working for me. Go away, film.
Possibly the funniest moment to come out of this film.
I remember feeling that the film was lacking in depth (in that the villain AND the screenwriters seemed to have drawn a blank) but I really enjoyed the beginning of the film which almost made up for the rest. The parallel between the villain and hero all through their childhood was truly a high point.
ReplyDeleteDespicable Me still wins though in cuteness factor :)