Bad for good

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2012)

I'm a bit of a comic buff and have enjoyed most of the glut of action and animated super- hero features since "Superman" blazed the trail back in the 70's. Of course in Toon land even more things are possible, including 3D action as in this highly amusing spoof comedy- adventure which neatly inverts the good guy and bad guy stereotypes we're so familiar with.
Here, the good guy, Metro Man is a pretentious, vainglorious super-smoothie, who quickly tires of the status and responsibilities his powers confer on him, while the so-called bad guy Megamind turns out to be a sensitive, conscientious loner, looking for love and female companionship. In the middle of them stands feisty Lois Lane-type reporter Roxanne, who despite herself finds herself falling for the adopted persona of the baddie.
The film makes subtle points about being true to one's self, not judging by appearances and overcoming prejudice but never at the expense of some spectacularly drawn action sequences or hilarious verbal and sight gags, the best of which was probably the mickey-take of Marlon Brando's Jor-El in the afore-mentioned "Superman - The Movie". The 3D content only enhanced my enjoyment, especially a replica scene of the famous James Dean "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" poster.
For me, this sharp-as-a-tack production joins the hallowed ranks of "The Incredibles" and "Mystery Men" as thoroughly enjoyable send-ups of a still burgeoning cinematic phenomenon, as witness the continuing graduation of DC and Marvel Comic heroes to Hollywood blockbuster status.