Written by Camille Bewley
This is everyone’s reminder to watch “Megamind” this semester. Those who have seen it before, watch it again; those who have never seen it, do not hesitate to resolve this oversight. Why?
The movie “Megamind” was released in 2010, starring Will Ferrell as Megamind, Tina Fey as Roxanne Ritchi, Jonah Hill as Titan and Brad Pitt as MetroMan. Megamind believes himself destined for the role of supervillain, as he fights against MetroMan in Metro City… at the beginning. This movie covers multiple major themes that might be considered deep for a children’s film. Yet, this characteristic is exactly what makes it such an important work of cinema. Let’s break a few of them down:
A foundational theme throughout is friendship; Megamind’s angst with his “Minion” named Fish is the greatest example; they return to each other and forgive for past disagreements and misunderstandings. Throughout the story they support each other (mostly Fish of Megamind’s goals), and grow into their true selves, forging their own path.
Such support is beneficial for another set of themes: identity, background, racism and destiny. Megamind and Metro Man are characterized by their unique backgrounds – MetroMan’s wealthy, safe home; Megamind’s childhood in prison – which distinguish them from each other and explain the positions they take at the beginning of the film. The movie covers the racism toward Megamind by the school children, the favoritism (and beauty privilege) given to MetroMan and how each defines their presupposed identities. MetroMan is somewhat predestined to become a hero; his powers and prestige creating expectations of greatness that he spends his life trying to meet. Similarly, MegaMind is a product of his environment. Megamind faces hatred and mistreatment for being different, leading him to believe, “I’m the bad guy. I don’t save the day. I don’t fly off into the sunset. And I don’t get the girl.”
But maybe identity and destiny are not defined by our backgrounds or others’ perspectives? Megamind starts by identifying with the villain archetype, but when true love enters his life, and he faces an opponent much worse than he had ever considered being himself, he is forced to reexamine the labels forced on him and decide if he wants to continue living them or change. Before that, MetroMan introduces a new, pertinent theme: self-care.
After years of fulfilling expectations placed on his shoulders simply for having powers, MetroMan decides he’s done. He’s tired of “going through the motions,” and being what everyone else wants him to be, so he takes time for self-care; for making music in the privacy of his underground home, refusing to return even when Tighten threatens the city’s destruction. Rather, MetroMan shows his colors as a good person and true friend by encouraging Megamind to do the same as him: not live a life of solitude, but to rethink the expectations and assumptions of the people and consider being something new…
Here’s the greatest theme of the film: purpose. Megamind realizes, through his relationship with Roxanne, his interactions with a very tired MetroMan, and also the immediate threat of total destruction from Tighten, he needs to rethink his archetypal identity. Without ever sacrificing his exotic personality or presentational strengths, Megamind surpasses labels altogether and achieves his own purpose: helping people. He finishes out with, “Funny. I guess destiny isn’t the path chosen for us, but the path we choose for ourselves.”
Have I convinced you to watch it? For the first or hundredth time? I hope so; I watched it as I wrote this. Here’s a few themes I didn’t extend on: authentic love (Roxanne), with great power comes great responsibility (Tighten), “There’s a benefit to losing, you get to learn from your mistakes,” – Megamind, and there are so many more; that is what makes it so good. Need an image of true friendship? A reminder that backgrounds and life situations don’t define you? Need a push to discard labels or stereotypes and consider your true potential and purpose? I’ll save you time, they’re all enshrined in “Megamind.”
