Megamind (2010) (Movie Review)

Dir: Tom McGrath
Starring: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill
Dur: 1 hr 35 mins
Genre: Animated
Rating: 3.5/5

Animated films are often like parables. They generally use simple stories to get across powerful messages. The target audience is believed to be children but the older you are the better you are able to grasp the meaning of the film. Children watch films merely for the entertainment and animation. Perhaps if they are sharp they may pick up the core message but it takes an adult to form an overview of the film and identify the numerous messages that are embedded in the storyline.

Megamind has a refreshing concept. It’s not a straight up good guy-bad guy action film. It’s got an interesting twist and children are likely to get a bit confused. I have had a first-hand experience as I showed it to my students. In the discussion that followed the film I realized that the students (who are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd standard) had got the idea all wrong. After repeated questioning and explanation I managed to get out of them the correct answers. Even then I realized that they had grasped only the superficial and in fact, unimportant message. The key messages were lost on them.


Megamind is no ordinary animated film. It’s got a lot to say about life and how it is lived. It’s philosophical too in a way and leaves plenty of scope for further and deeper thought. It’s entertainment quotient is a bit low and children begin to get restless less than halfway through the film. The build-up is all important and the action is fairly controlled. The animation is interesting and the dialogues are catchy. This film isn’t a good idea if you are looking to sit back and relax. It requires an attentive mind. So if you’re looking for a value-filled entertainment Megamind might suffice otherwise I suggest you leave if for an opportune time.   

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