MEGAMIND

Ma's View:

Another movie we saw last year at BIFF!

We did not choose to see Megamind; it just happened to be the session we were assigned as volunteers.  We had dismissed it as an animation for kids.  But what a pleasant surprise!  Tom McGrath and Cameron Hood have directed this as a fast-moving, cleverly written send-up of hero movies which is entertaining on the adult level as well.

Megamind himself is not the typical villain, having become a villain as a result of his brilliance not being recognised as a child when he was always pitted against and beaten by the hero of the piece.  When he finally overcomes his old enemy and gains complete control of "Metrocity"  (pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable to rhyme with "atrocity"), Megamind does not know what to do with himself.  What is a villain without an enemy?  What is 'evil' without the counterpoint of 'good'?

Voices by Will Ferrell and Tina Fey were very well done and the plot line is not predictable as in most hero movies.  With a spate of clever one-liners and very ironic insights into the workings of our society, it is surprising that this animation did not have greater box office success.

My score:  7.5/10


Pepe's View:

My first 3D Movie!  Once I got over watching a movie wearing silly glasses I could relax and enjoy.  (I find it interesting that most people our age hate the fact we have had to start wearing glasses and resist it at every turn while the youth of today can't wait to wear them to watch a movie!).  I didn't think that the 3D added anything to the movie - it was an animation which would be just as enjoyable in regular view.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that special effects in movies do nothing for me  - it is the story and the characters that are all important.
But, back to Megamind!  This was a thoroughly enjoyable movie - full of laughs, showing great insight into our society and containing the regulation number of chases and fights.  Metrocity is taken over by a "baddie" after the "goodie" retires through boredom - the same old enemy, the same old rescues, the same old battles etc.  Once Megamind is esconced as leader of the city and therefore controls all the money and has unlimited power, he becomes bored too.  What is he to do all day?  No one to fight and no one to save.  He starts to pine for the good old days of his battles with the "goodie"! 
He even visits the museum which was set up to celebrate the "good guys" life in order to relive this old life.
Of course all ends well and Metrocity is once again saved!
It is surprising that this did not do so well at the box office - perhaps the publicity machine did not work effectively - as it is one of the better animation movies for children of all ages.

My Score:  7.5/10