Megamind (2/22/2011)

Rated PG for action and some language.

Directed by Tom McGrath (Madagascar and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa)

Starring (the voice of) Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, Justin Therou, Ben Stiller, and J.K. Simmons

Megamind is the most brilliant supervillain the world has ever known…and the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way. Each attempt, a colossal failure thanks to the caped superhero known as “Metro Man,” an invincible hero until the day Megamind actually kills him in the throes of one of his botched evil plans.

Suddenly, Megamind has no purpose. A supervillain without a superhero. He realizes that achieving his life’s ambition is the worst thing that ever happened to him. Megamind decides that the only way out of his rut is to create a new hero opponent called “Titan”, who promises to be bigger, better and stronger than Metro Man ever was.

Pretty quickly Titan starts to think it’s much more fun to be a villain than a good guy. Except Titan doesn’t just want to rule the world, he wants to destroy it. Now, Megamind must decide: can he defeat his own diabolical creation? Can the world’s smartest man make the smart decision for once? Can the evil genius become the unlikely hero of his own story?

This animated movie is fantastic. Of course the animation is detailed and amazing (although I didn’t see it in 3D). The action is big and spectacular, the performances are all spot-on (even if Hill just plays himself), and Megamind is actually very likable.

The vocal cast adds spark and humor to the dialog, which is packed with some very funny wordplay. The banter between Megamind and Metro Man is simply hilarious, and far more sophisticated than we usually see in an animated movie. And while the plot is somewhat predictable, it still manages to offer a few surprises. It also features some darker themes and violence like Megamind’s childhood and the issue of death. But the film’s chirpy tone doesn’t dwell on either.

The animation, the cast, the story…everything is just so much fun. I can’t help but give it a Worth Buying.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yes, go get it right now.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: When Metro Man is killed, Megamind finds that his life has no purpose. And although he has everything money can buy, he is extremely unhappy

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: We need to know that power, possessions and popularity will all fade away, but when we discover our purpose for life…that will bring true fulfillment.

So what is our purpose?

The Bible (Matthew 28:19-20 and 22:37-39) and a little book called “The Purpose Driven Life” help us answer that question. We are created to worship God, love others, share the message of God’s love, discover the teachings of Jesus and use our gifts to bring glory to God.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: Often times we are motivated by money or by power or by what others may think of us in our decision-making. But God has given you true purpose and wants you to accomplish that purpose. So identify one area in each of those five purposes to work on this week.

How can I live out my worship this week?

How can I love my neighbor this week?

How can I share God’s love with one of my friends?

How can I become more of a disciple?

How can I use my gifts for God’s glory?