Movie Review: Megamind

Overview

On a planet far, far away things have gone horribly bad. Though they could not save themselves, two sets of parents are determined to make sure their little sons survive. Jettisoned in space pods, the babies arrive on planet Earth to completely different circumstances; one to a life of luxury and one to a prison.

As you can imagine, being raised by prisoners does not set a child up for the best of childhoods. It also does not help if you are blue with a big head. Is he just destined to be bad because of his environment and circumstance?

At school, he is constantly at odds with the other boy who is practically perfect in every way. Everything this boy does is wonderful. Everything the blue kid does sort of blows up in his face.

Each boy grows to be a man assuming their destinies. The silver spoon boy becomes the superhero, Mega Man. The blue boy becomes the super villain Megamind. They fight with the voracity expected from two who are arch enemies. Most of the skirmishes involve the kidnapping of a local reporter, Roxanne. This goes on and on, then, one day, Mega Man is killed. Megamind sort of loses his raison d’être. He doesn’t seem to really like being bad. Can he change? This is the question that is explored and answered.

Concerns

There is violence in this movie…and all what you would expect from two super beings going at each other. The sun is harnessed. Evil rays are involved. Things explode.

Mega Man is worshiped by the people. In the end, though, you realize that this was not the right thing to do for any man.

I don’t remember any bathroom humor except for one character giving himself a wedgie. Is this really a kids movie?

The language is okay. There is a “freaking,” “crap nuggets,” ‘god” and “gosh.”

The song “Highway to Hell” is part of the soundtrack. You will also hear short clips of Ozzy Osborne and Guns ‘n Roses.

Roxanne drinks wine at dinner and other diners in the restaurant are seen with drinks.

Teachable Themes

• You are Not Destined to be Bad. It is a Choice
Megamind thinks that he has to be bad because he has been told he was for so long. This is not true.


• Evil can be Overcome by Good
Megamind realizes that there is no satisfaction in evil and works to overcome it.


• Friendship and Forgiveness are Important
Megamind takes actions that hurt the feelings of his minion. He later apologizes and asks forgiveness and their friendship is restore.


• Examine Your Goals
Sometimes our plans won’t work out because they are not good plans. We need to stop and consider what we are doing and make adjustments.


• It is What is on the Inside that Counts
It doesn’t matter how you look on the outside, it is your actions that tell who you truly are.

Biblical References

• Overcome Evil with Good

Romans 12:21 “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (NLT)


• Choose the Right Way

Deuteronomy 30:19-20: “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (NLT)


• Examine Your Goals

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.." (NLT)


• It is What is on the Inside that Counts

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (NIV)

Discussion Questions

1. What kind of home did you grow up in?


2. Have you ever been teased by someone in school?


3. Have you ever had a day when everything you tried to do seemed to go wrong?


4. Who do you go to when things aren’t going right?


5. Why is friendship important?


6. Can a bad person change his life? How?


7. Do people really have a choice in how they live their lives?

Conclusion

I enjoyed this film. It was a lot of fun and had a great message. It wasn’t quite as good as Despicable Me, which it shares a lot of themes with, but you also did not have to dodge a lot of questionable content to enjoy it. The message of redemption is very prevalent. I can imagine using it in Children’s Ministry to talk about the choices we make.