In 2010, an animated movie produced by one of the most popular animation studios caught the attention of millions of people worldwide. Its new dynamic of a villain becoming hero, as well as its subtle takes on many different movie tropes, helped to create one of Dreamworks Animation’s best films: Megamind

Megamind earned over $322 million worldwide, exceeding its budget of $130 million.¹ Though this movie was one of Dreamworks’ lowest grossing films of the 2010s, it still used some of the most amazing actors of the 21st century. Casted as the main character Megamind, Will Ferrell plays an alien villain who grew up learning the wrongdoings of the world. In the beginning of the movie, he fights the hero of Metro City, Metroman, played by Brad Pitt. Metroman grew up very differently, with a loving and rich family that spoiled him, as well as the morals and goods he was taught. In the second part of the movie, when Megamind turns and becomes the hero, Titan the villain emerges, played by Jonah Hill. Because of Titan’s idea that if he was good, he automatically got everything he wanted, he and Megamind switched roles, with Megamind becoming the hero, and Titan becoming the villain.

Some secondary protagonists and characters, such as Roxanne Ritchi, who is played by Tina Fey, Minion, played by David Cross, and Warden, played by J.K. Simmons, helped in influencing and changing the main protagonist Megamind. Roxanne served as a love interest as well as friend to Megamind as he grew to know her. Their relationship, though it hit some bumps, was amazing to see and watch grow. Minion, sidekick to Megamind, had been there for Megamind since he was a child. Minion also goes through some rough patches with Megamind, but their relationship never breaks. Minion helps Megamind in realizing his potential and helping him through the final fight with Titan. Finally, Warden, who at first was rude and conceited, eventually helped Megamind see what his purpose was. Megamind’s time spent in prison helped shape him into a worthy competitor for both Metroman and Titan.

! Spoilers ahead !

Along with the bad guy turned good trope, some others are covered by the movie, such as Nature vs Nurture, Nice vs Good Guy, even true love always wins. The fact that this movie has so many tropes and emotions shown is what makes this movie so exciting. In the film, Nature vs Nurture is shown through the relationship between Megamind and Metroman.² In the beginning, when the two are sent off of their home planets to live on Earth, Metroman lands in a home owned by a wealthy businessman and his stay-at-home wife. The mother cares for him, and the husband spoils him. Even at the school he and Megamind both go to, he is treated as the perfect child, earning gold stars as well as the friendship of all his peers. He grew up in a good and perfect environment. Megamind, however, did not. Megamind landed in a prison in Metro City. He grew up around people who did bad things and embraced that. They taught him that the ‘good-doers’ such as police, were bad, and ‘wrong-doers,’ such as burglars, were good. Because he grew up in this environment, he turned out evil.

Secondly, in the Nice Guy vs Good Guy trope, there is a specific way to identify the difference. Titan holds the idea that if he becomes a ‘good’ guy and saves people, he will end up with his crush, Roxanne. This is because he holds the ideal that if he does something good, he gets something out of it. He is the nice guy. Megamind holds no such idea and does good deeds because it’s good. In the end, when he fights to save Metro City, he had no one. He had a falling out with both Roxanne and Minion leaving him with no support. He fights Titan because it’s good for the city. So in the end, Titan could never be a hero. Megamind could because he didn’t want to gain anything out of doing something that benefited others.

The tropes of the movie were so good that the movie became a hit. It was such an amazing and unforgettable movie that it’s hard not to come back and watch it over and over again. I rate this film a 10,10, for its amazing plots and theme, as well as for its cast and amazing acting. I highly recommend this movie if you haven’t watched it.