Megamind

Rated PG for action and some language.

Megamind is animated. Nothing contained therein is too adult for it to be objectionable to kids…except for the wit…which, to me, requires a healthy knowledge of superhero popular culture. Also, it is beneficial to have an appreciation of satiric humor. Not that having either or both makes Megamind a great film; at best, it is mildly amusing. And if you catch the 3D version, the experience may be a bit better (than 2D), but please remember, the visuals are neither crisp nor bright.

A lot of caveats, if you ask me.

The plot is a play on the Superman tale. Two babies are sent by their respective parents because the babies’ (also respective) planets are exploding. One child looks like a Nordic god (voiced by Brad Pitt naturally) and the other like a Smurf with a giant head (voiced by Will Ferrell). They land on Earth the same day in the same town…and go to the same school. The white baby leads a charmed life and is BMOC while the other one is last to be picked for dodge ball. Bluehead takes the name “Megamind” and decides, what-the-heck, to pursue a life of villainy while the other takes the name “Metro Man” and pursues a life or heroism.

The sexy and beautiful TV reporter, Lois Lane, no, I mean Roxanne Ritchi (voiced by Tina Fey) — is constantly being kidnapped by Megamind and then rescued by Metro Man. Roxanne’s camera man, the ubiquitous overweight loser, nerd (voiced by Jonah Hill) is in love with Roxanne but Roxanne is not interested.

By the way, Megamind’s sidekick, Minion, is a fish that inhabits various robotic suits and plays the henchman role to Megamind.

During one of the super battles between the inept Megamind and Metro Man, something goes wrong and Metro Man vanishes from the picture. (Hmmmmm!) Megamind takes over Metro City. But with no hero a villain grows bored. So Megamind turns the nerd-cameraman into a superhero but…again…something goes wrong…and soon the nerd becomes a villain too.

There isn’t enough room in Metro City for two villains, so Megamind has to swap sides to play the role of hero…but remember Megamind is a bit of klutz so things go awry.

During the entire movie, I waited to have a real belly laugh…but, frankly, it was about as fresh as a Bugs Bunny feature length film. Bugs may be a classic but “fresh” he ain’t.

Megamind has its moments, but it never hits any brilliant high notes. We have seen it all before. When the funniest part is Megamind doing an imitation of Marlon Brando’s role as Superman’s father…well, let’s just say it isn’t exactly the kind of gag that sends one gasping for air.

And shouldn’t this appeal to both kids and adults? What kid would get the joke? Not too many adults would get it either.

As a critic, I was disappointed that Megamind did not have enough for me to ridicule nor praise. I was kind of megadepresssed about the experience. I got a case of the blues watching Megamind. It just wasn’t a super experience for me. It lacked enough dimensions (perhaps 4D?) to achieve megaentertainment. It just lacked animation to me.

Megamind earns only two and a half bow ties out of five