LIHU‘E — Just hearing their voices and the nuances of the delivery of their lines is a laugh in itself. That’s why it was a sure-to-be money-maker when filmmakers considered the following question: What do you get when you mix
LIHU‘E — Just hearing their voices and the nuances of the delivery of their lines is a laugh in itself.
That’s why it was a sure-to-be money-maker when filmmakers considered the following question: What do you get when you mix the hilarious likes of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and David Cross with some high-end, CGI effects and adult-friendly dialogue?
The answer is “Megamind,” the mega-hit that has as of this writing grossed nearly $50 million.
And though Kaua‘i residents can’t see it on-island in 3-D, that’s OK. Its wry humor and special effects measure up just fine on the Kukui Grove 4 Cinemas’ big screens, which make for a win-win situation for keiki and adults alike.
Director Tom McGrath (“Madagascar”) and screenwriters Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons knew how to use the voices of these revered comedic actors, and it seems wrote the lines with some of their previous, best-loved personas in mind.
Take, for example, Cross. Those who love Cross for his awkward and socially-inept characters such as Tobias Funke on “Arrested Development” will appreciate his role as Minion, the sidekick (and minion, obviously) of Will Ferrell’s character, Megamind. Fans of Tina Fey’s other written works will likely find her character Roxanne Ritchi’s sarcasm and dry wit familiar and resonant of Liz Lemon on “30 Rock.” Of course, the over-the-top handsomeness of Brad Pitt’s character, superhero Metro Man, is also tongue-in-cheek.
Key to the funniness of the movie “Megamind” is the main character’s voice aptly resembles the way in which we’ve come to love Ferrell in his other movies, self-obsessed and random (think “Anchorman”).
But this time, there is an added charm: he’s not that good at being bad, though he wishes he were, as it seemed for the longest time to be his only destiny.
That’s because Megamind started his life off not knowing his parents for very long, followed by a childhood of not fitting in.
A mere 8 days old, Megamind’s mother and father sent him off in a tiny spacecraft. Much like Superman, Megamind was headed to earth to follow his destiny.
The only problem with that is his father closed the door to the spacecraft before the last word of his sentence, “You’re destined for…” could be heard.
Armed with little more than his Minion (who was to watch over him) and his binky (hey, he wasn’t even 2 weeks old), Megamind had little guidance.
At the same exact time, his nemesis, the righteous superhero Metro Man, was simultaneously sent to earth. But from babyhood, Metro Man’s fate seems more palatable.
The two experience upbringings that are, in a sense, dichotomies: Megamind’s capsule lands in a prison yard, and he is therefore raised by criminals; Metro Man’s capsule lands in the living room of a well-to-do, loving family.
And as the two grow older, the gap between their experiences expands.
When it comes to school, Metro Man is popular, while Megamind is chosen last in dodge ball (even after a girl with a broken leg).
As Megamind said himself, “no matter what happened, I was always the last chosen, the odd one out, the black sheep, the bad boy. Being bad was the one thing I was good at.” And so a villain was born.
But much like the movie “Despicable Me” this villain has the potential to turn himself around, and never really does enough wrong to put himself on the wrong side of viewers.
His love for Roxanne Ritchi, his loyalty to his minion and even his love for Metro Man all demonstrate he’s just a sweetheart who has had some bouts of bad luck.
Good thing his head is big enough for him to figure out how to change his luck for the better.
