HAIRCUT 100: Day 38, No. 38. Megamind, in the film of the same name directed by Tom McGrath in 2010. He’s bad, he’s bald, he’s blue, and he knows the difference between a villain and a supervillain is presentation. In a classic DreamWorks’ hero’s journey, enlivened by Will Ferrell’s wonderful performance – blending satire, pathos and full-blown, mispronounced megalomania – Megamind explores the co-dependency inherent in all hero/villain relationships, from Holmes and Moriarty to Superman and Lex Luthor. When alien genius Megamind believes he has finally killed his arch nemesis, Brad Pitt’s nauseatingly decent Metroman, he realises that his life has no purpose and thus creates a new superhero to fight called ‘Titan,’ faking a back story that sends up Marlon Brando’s performance in Richard Donner’s Superman something rotten. But few have the right stuff, and he instead unleashes a new supervillain on Metro City that he must defeat, finally saving the day, flying off into the sunset and getting the girl. Nice. Critics called Megamind ‘derivative.’ (It’s basically The Incredibles meets Mystery Men – remember that? Greg Kinnear was Captain Amazing, Geoffrey Rush was Casanova Frankenstein. Ben Stiller was in it…) But to that we say: ‘The format can easily be reheated in the microwave of evil!’ As ever, Ferrell’s performance is a joy; the film is fast and funny, and it looks great. It also argues that everyone is capable of change, and that the benefit of losing in life is that you learn from your mistakes. So there. In your face, Rotten Tomatoes! ‘All men must choose between two paths. Good is the path of honour, heroism, and nobility. Evil… well, it’s just cooler.’
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THE HAIRCUT 100........ 