--- title: "Megamind: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/megamind/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/megamind" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Megamind (2010): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 20 reviews: 12 positive, 7 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Megamind, and the praise gathers in two places: the jokes and the look. The reviews describe a brisk, witty comedy that plays with superhero conventions rather than simply spoofing them, with a steady supply of sight gags and sharp one-liners. Will Ferrell’s voice work is singled out more than once for being funnier and more restrained than expected, and several critics note that the 3D is handled with care, built into the visuals rather than thrown at the audience. The reservations cluster around the story. A number of reviews call the plot predictable or derivative, and a few find the film short on real feeling beneath the gags. The comparison nobody avoids is Pixar: The Incredibles comes up again and again as the film this is not. The spread is otherwise narrow, with most scores in the 60s and 70s; Variety is the one outright dissenter, finding the nonstop jokiness and pop-culture references wearing. ## The AV Club — Tasha Robinson Rating B+. 4 November 2010. Robinson finds the film clever and melancholic, though its story is predictable and its references may leave children behind. She praises its unexpected depth in portraying the codependent relationship between hero and villain. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/megamind-1798166419) ## Radio Times — Terry Staunton Rating 4/5. Staunton says the fast-paced animation will delight children, adults and superhero fans. He praises its plentiful sight gags and sharp one-liners. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-fi4m91/megamind/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 October 2010. McCarthy finds Megamind lively, good-natured fun that refreshes familiar superhero ideas with nimble plotting. He especially praises the 3D, noting how naturally it is integrated into the film’s visuals. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/todd-mccarthys-film-review-megamind-33933/) ## Total Film — Ken McIntyre Rating 4/5. 2 December 2010. The critic calls it a polished, very funny entertainment that is very good, though not quite great. They praise Tom McGrath’s pacing and smart gags, along with the film’s effective use of 3D. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/megamind-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Simon Abrams Rating 3/4. 31 October 2010. The critic finds the film smarter, funnier, and more sympathetic than its initial spoof-like setup suggests, though its humor can be sloppy. He praises McGrath’s use of space and the chemistry between Fey and Ferrell in the memorial scene. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/megamind/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 November 2010. Scott gives the film a positive verdict, finding its superhero premise entertainingly inventive. He particularly praises its sly humor and playful treatment of familiar superhero conventions. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05mega.html) ## Empire — Sam Toy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2010. Toy finds Megamind fun and energetic, though it falls short of its potential. He praises the fast-moving gags and slick animation, while noting the cast and script seem held back from being funnier. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/megamind-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the film playful and technically accomplished, though lacking real emotion. They single out its clever idea of Megamind becoming bored after winning as its best trick. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/who-are-you-calling-a-big-head-in-megamind-7422829.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 5 November 2010. Sharkey finds the animated comedy amusing and often clever, though it loses focus at times. She praises its crisp, minimalist visual style and the sight gags it makes possible. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-05-la-et-megamind-20101105-story.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 2 December 2010. Bradshaw finds the animation entertaining, funnier and more visually exciting than a comparable film, though it falls short of the best in the genre. He praises its comic lines and inventive evil inventions, while noting that it lacks the passion and brilliance of The Incredibles or Toy Story. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/dec/02/megamind-review) ## Screen Daily — Brent Simon Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2010. The review’s verdict is unavailable in the accessible page text. No specific praise or complaint can be identified from the visible material. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/megamind/5020002.article) ## IndieWire — Christopher Campbell Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 November 2010. Campbell finds Megamind enjoyable but less accomplished than The Incredibles. He praises its simple villain-turned-good story while criticizing its camera movement as overwhelming. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/news/general/megamind-is-the-social-network-for-kids-227099/) ## Time Out — David Jenkins Rating 3/5. 30 November 2010. The review gives the film a middling three-star assessment, finding its superhero conventions treated with a wink. It singles out the hyperactive animation and steady stream of genre conventions. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/megamind) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2010. Chang finds the film derivative despite some clever twists, wit, and emotion. He praises its elastic take on the superhero genre’s good-versus-evil conventions, but criticizes its nonstop jokey humor and pop-culture references. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2010/digital/reviews/megamind-1117943959/) ## Digital Spy — Mayer Nissim Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 November 2010. The critic finds the film charming, witty, and unusually full of spark. They single out its clever screenplay and Will Ferrell’s emotionally engaging voice performance. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a290071/megamind/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 4/5. 3 December 2010. Lambie finds the film a charming, witty action comedy with enough style to overcome its derivative moments. He especially praises the humour and geek references, singling out Ferrell’s restrained performance and Marlon Brando impression. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/megamind-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Adam Lowes Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 2 December 2010. The critic finds Megamind a welcome, thoroughly entertaining addition to DreamWorks’ animated films. They praise its brisk plotting, well-observed character moments, and playful pop-culture references. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/megamind-review/) ## Eye for Film — Andrew Grant Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2011. Grant finds Megamind a consistently funny, emotionally nuanced, and notably strong DreamWorks effort. He praises its character development and voice performances, especially the leads, while noting it lacks Pixar’s broad appeal. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/megamind-film-review-by-andrew-grant) ## NME — James McMahon Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). McMahon finds Megamind entertaining and watchable, though it falls short of being truly impressive. He praises its cast and lively animation, while noting that Pixar’s storytelling makes the film feel comparatively cheap. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-11761-321423) ## Paste — Josh Jackson Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 5 November 2010. Jackson finds the film amusing and silly, though its predictable story keeps it from being especially funny or touching. He praises its clever jokes for adult viewers but says Pixar’s superhero animation remains unmatched. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/megamind-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/megamind.md