This is the second in a series of “oldies but goodies” movie reviews.

Made in 2010, “Megamind” is over 15 years old, the same age as some high schoolers today. With its age, you might not think it’s worth a watch, but it’s quite the opposite.

With a budget of $130 million, which might sound like a lot, this animated feature film made by DreamWorks and directed by Tom McGrath pales in comparison to newer movies. For example, the new “Minecraft” movie had a budget of $150 million, yet “Megamind” is so much better. This movie had a lot of effort put into it, and it has something that most movies today don’t: an actual character arc, perhaps the best character arc in any movie I’ve seen.

Voiced by Will Ferrell as Megamind and Brad Pitt as his nemesis, Metro Man, the movie twists and turns the superhero genre on its head: Instead of focusing on a hero, it puts the spotlight on the villain.

Megamind is a genius alien sent to Earth by his parents for an unknown reason. This mystery haunts him throughout the movie as he questions his purpose and why they sent him to Earth. He always thought his purpose was to be a villain and take over the world, and for years, he tried, but his rival, Metro Man, never let that happen. However, one day Megamind actually defeats his nemesis and thinks all his problems are solved—but this is where all of his real problems begin.

When Megamind learns that being a supervillain without a superhero to fight is like having chocolate without peanut butter, he goes on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, he creates a problematic sidekick while developing feelings for a reporter, all while hiding his true self. A “brilliant” idea intended to solve all his problems only creates a disaster even Megamind’s genius couldn’t foresee.

This movie impacts the viewer emotionally by subtly addressing real-world issues. As a perfect example, Hal is a character ahead of his time—a guy who feels entitled to women because of how “nice” he is to them. It’s a role that gives a weird vibe to the movie yet makes a good point, something rarely seen in screenplays for kids’ movies, which are often appear afraid to address tough topics like racism and misogyny.  

Another way this movie impacts the viewer is by showing internal change. Megamind mentally changes through the movie–the way he acts, the way he talks–and the transformation is fun to experience. Of course, there are no superheroes in real life, but the way Megamind changes for the better is one of the most authentic character transformations in a movie to date. 

I feel like a lot of movies today have no soul and no desire to leave a lasting impact on the world like “Megamind” does, thanks to its heart and morals. The new generation of movies is largely disappointing, with producers seemingly only interested in making money. For example, Disney, once considered one of the greatest animation studios, has made some terrible movies in the past 10 to 15 years, only focusing on profits rather than creating meaningful stories and making their audiences happy.

I love “Megamind” because it shows how love can completely change someone, for better or for worse—something very real that happens every day. I give it a perfect 10/10. You can watch this movie on Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV.