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MEGAMINDMovie Reviews
Animated family comedy about a supervillain who finally defeats his arch nemesis, a superhero, only to discover that life is pretty boring without him. Cast:Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Brad PittDirector:Tom McGrathRelease Date:November 5, 2010DVD Release:February 25, 2011From:DreamworksRating:PGLength:1 hr 36 minIn 3D
Megamind played to good reviews. • Steven Rea wrote in the Philadelphia Inquirer, "...a smart, snappy superhero send-up... it's fun, and funny stuff." • Tom Long wrote in the Detroit News, "...works without being completely wondrous. Really, you'll enjoy it. And then you'll forget it." • And Michael Phillips wrote in the Chicago Tribune, "Moderately funny though immoderately derivative..." More Reviews Below...
Alynda Wheat, People: OUTSTANDING(cg) "If kids find the plot too tricky, they'll love the fights, while adults will dig the technical wizardry of special effects that add visual zing to a solid script."(See all of Alynda Wheat's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 174 words, 11/04/10
Richard Corliss, Time: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...enjoyable, disposable... relies on robust humor, a glut of pop-cultural references and a color palette that ranges from bright to garish and jumps out at you in 3-D."(See all of Richard Corliss's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 1,175 words, 11/05/10
David Germain, Associated Press: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...despite a clever hook -- what's a villain to do when he manages to defeat his superhero nemesis? -- it's a thin story that feels familiar and unfolds with no surprises."(See all of David Germain's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 568 words, 11/04/10
Thelma Adams, Us Weekly: VERY GOOD(cg) "Superb 3-D graphics and silly running gags should keep kids amused, while sly political and pop culture references will get laughs from adults."(See all of Thelma Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 73 words, 11/04/10
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "...too goofy-surreal to pack a lot of emotional punch, but it's antically light on its feet, with 3-D images that have a lustrous, gizmo-mad sci-fi clarity..."(See all of Owen Gleiberman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 305 words, 11/05/10
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "What this raucous 3D animated fun house lacks in originality (think bastard child of 'The Incredibles' and 'Despicable Me') it makes up for in visual and vocal wit."(See all of Peter Travers's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 137 words, 11/05/10
Claudia Puig, USA Today: MODERATE(cg) "...has some funny moments, silly mispronunciations and comical socio-political references.... it's the thin, ultra-familiar story that keeps 'Megamind' from soaring."(See all of Claudia Puig's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 435 words, 11/05/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an amusing family entertainment and gains some energy from clever dialogue and the fun Will Ferrell has with his character.... The 3-D is well done, if unnecessary."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 577 words, 11/04/10
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (12 Reviews)
Stephen Holden, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...witty... has a lot more in its head than the typical aspiring animated blockbuster... skimpier than most in generating laughter."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 947 words, 11/05/10
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: WEAK(cg) "Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt and Tina Fey are the only good thing... While not quite an a-boom-ination, it is certainly a sham-é. A real Disapp Ointment. A floop."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 432 words, 11/05/10
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: MODERATE(cg) "The generic action -- including a falling building that unfortunately summons memories of 9/11 -- is presented in headache-inducing 3-D... the comedy isn't particularly sharp."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 391 words, 11/05/10
John Anderson, New York Newsday: MODERATE(cg) "The animation is strong, if a bit busy, with lots of stuff flying off the screen. But don't worry: Very little of it will hit you, and certainly not in the funny bone."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 438 words, 11/05/10
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...an amusing family entertainment and gains some energy from clever dialogue and the fun Will Ferrell has with his character.... The 3-D is well done, if unnecessary."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 577 words, 11/04/10
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice/LA Weekly: WEAK "A seven-year-old boy asked me, halfway through: 'Is this supposed to be funny?' 'Dunno,' I said. 'Because it's not,' he said. 'Nor any fun, either.' "(See all of Robert Wilonsky's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 249 words, 11/03/10
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...makes so many zippy references to film, music and other mass obsessions, it's like watching stand-up comedians trade riffs..."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 750 words, 11/05/10
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle/San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "The plot is predictable in the broad strokes - especially if you've seen the trailer, which spoils a major twist - but delightfully unexpected in the smaller ones..."(See all of Amy Biancolli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 591 words, 11/05/10
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Filler musical montages set to 'Bad to the Bone,' 'Dirty Deeds' and 'Highway to Hell' don't quite cover the dead spots.... cute..."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 443 words, 11/05/10
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...this is Ferrell's movie, meaning some inspired laughs sandwiched between annoying bits that stretch on well past their usefulness."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 498 words, 11/05/10
Joy Tipping, Dallas Morning News: OUTSTANDING(cg) "The animation is amazing... not up there with the Disney and Pixar greats, but it certainly continues DreamWorks Animation's rapid advancement in the art form."(See all of Joy Tipping's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 537 words, 11/05/10
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: VERY GOOD(cg) "...the wit in Simons and Schoolcraft's script is matched by the sort of painstaking visual ingenuity that makes most live-action production seem lazy with cynicism."(See all of Wesley Morris's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 840 words, 11/05/10
Stephen Whitty, Cleveland Plain-Dealer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "There's nothing particularly wrong with the picture. It's a slick, shiny cartoon... It's just that the movie isn't very funny, or even inventive."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 463 words, 11/05/10
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: MODERATE(cg) "The story has such a jumble of motivations that we never care about the characters. Even with first-rate voice talent and whizzy 3-D gadgets, 'Megamind' falls flat."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 353 words, 11/05/10
Tom Long, Detroit News: GOOD(cg) "...one of those animated films that works without being completely wondrous. Really, you'll enjoy it. And then you'll forget it."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 303 words, 11/05/10
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice/LA Weekly: WEAK "A seven-year-old boy asked me, halfway through: 'Is this supposed to be funny?' 'Dunno,' I said. 'Because it's not,' he said. 'Nor any fun, either.' "(See all of Robert Wilonsky's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 249 words, 11/03/10
Josh Tyler, Cinema Blend: EXCELLENT(cg) "...director Tom McGrath and his team have still managed to make something surprisingly smart, entertaining, visually interesting and yeah ok, occasionally funny..."(See all of Josh Tyler's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 554 words, 11/05/10
Brett Michel, Boston Phoenix: MODERATE(cg) "...if celebrity voices and an excess of licensed pop music are your thing, you might forgive the lack of ambition here as director Tom McGrath treads familiar territory."(See all of Brett Michel's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 147 words, 11/04/10
Tasha Robinson, AV Club: EXCELLENT(cg) "...finds a comfortable sophistication... Children may not love 'Megamind,' but at least they can bond with mom and dad afterward when they explain who Brando was."(See all of Tasha Robinson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 376 words, 11/04/10
Simon Abrams, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...may initially seem like a superhero spoof in the comedic vein of 'Shrek,' but it reveals itself to be smarter, funnier, and infinitely more sympathetic..."(See all of Simon Abrams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 680 words, 10/31/10
Edward Adams, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...satirical pop culture slugfest has heart, jokes and some clever 3D action to have you laughing and ultimately cheering in the end."(See all of Edward Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 788 words, 11/04/10
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...zeroes in on the political puppet show of superhero stories and lays it bare in a way that suggests that, ahem, truth, justice, and the American way are, well, just a slogan."(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 788 words, 11/04/10
Stephen Holden, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...witty... has a lot more in its head than the typical aspiring animated blockbuster... skimpier than most in generating laughter."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 947 words, 11/05/10
Josh Levin, Slate: MODERATE "It's no great shame to suffer by comparison to 'The Incredibles' -- most movies, animated or otherwise, don't measure up.... pretty good. But why settle...?"(See all of Josh Levin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 835 words, 11/04/10
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Justin Chang, Daily Variety: MODERATE "...while not without its moments of wit and emotion, comes off as a derivative wisecracking machine rather than a feat of sustained imagination."(See all of Justin Chang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 880 words, 11/01/10
Stephen Holden, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...witty... has a lot more in its head than the typical aspiring animated blockbuster... skimpier than most in generating laughter."(See all of Stephen Holden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 947 words, 11/05/10
17.7 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Megamind's reviews are separated by an average 17.7 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Megamind (45 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Megamind's reviews cover 89.3% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 23,217 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 516 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 12.2 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Megamind's reviews on average broke 12.2 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Megamind's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
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