Megamind: What Makes A True Hero In The Film

Year Nine Religious Education – Hope and Redemption

Megamind – The Film

1. What makes a true hero? How do Titan and Metro Man fit this mould?

A true hero is someone “who puts the welfare of others above their own.” They go out of their own way to make a difference in someone else’s life and despite the opinions of others, they will always try to do the right thing. A true hero can be a role model and possess certain qualities including courage, nobility, generosity, self-sacrifice, wisdom and compassion. To an extent, Metro Man fits this mould because he protects the citizens of Metro City. However, towards the end of the film, it is evident that Metro Man also abandons the citizens and refuses to prevent them from the harm caused by Titan. Therefore, Metro Man is not fully a true hero. Titan, on the other hand, does not fit the mould of a

true hero. He only uses his powers for crime and instead of protecting the residents, he only harms them.

a. Could Megamind have done a better job at making Titan a hero? How would you have trained Titan to be a hero?
Megamind could have done a better job at making Titan a hero because towards the end of the film, Titan abuses his powers and uses them to cause mass destruction at Metro City. Megamind had only taught Titan how to use his abilities. However, Megamind did not thoroughly inform Titan that he should use his powers for the benefit of others who require assistance and not for his own personal gain.

b. “All your gifts… and you squander them for your own personal gain.” Do you know anybody like this?
Some people may possess great knowledge which could be used to assist others. However, there are some who choose to keep this gift for themselves, not wanting to share their wisdom and knowledge with the world.

2.

Is it ever too late to change? Why? What are some examples?

It is never too late to change because even if we make poor decisions in the past we can always redeem ourselves by making better choices in the present moment. Just because we were considered to be a “criminal” in our past lives, the choices we make in the present will determine who we are. In the beginning of the film, it is evident that Megamind was depicted as the villain, however, when Megamind protects the city towards the end of the film, he officially becomes the defender of Metro City.

3. What did deception bring Megamind?

Deception brought Megamind everything he desired including his personal goals and money.

However, these possessions and goals did not make him happy as he thought they would. Furthermore, deception was a key factor which influenced him to become a villain. Megamind had thought that he was destined to be evil and that his fate was set out. In addition, when Megamind accidentally reveals he was playing Bernard when he was with Roxanne, she ends up rejecting him out of anger. Therefore, deception also brought Megamind lots of

guilt.

4. How does Megamind find true satisfaction? What motivates him to win?
Megamind finds true satisfaction when he does what makes him happy and what he believes is the right thing to do. This includes helping others because he ends up finding that being selfless is actually very pleasing. Roxanne is a character in the film which changes Megamind’s life and is someone who motivates him to win.

5. Is there good in everybody? Do you agree or disagree? Are we born good, but choose to be evil?
I believe that there is good in everybody and that we have the choice of being evil. Throughout the beginning and middle of the film, Megamind was depicted as a villain. However, it is evident that Megamind was not purely diabolical. This was shown through his moments with Roxanne and how he tried to protect Metro City from destruction towards the end of the film. As a child, Megamind was always left out and because the people surrounding him refused to see the good in him, he chose to become the villain. I believe that we are not born good or evil, but it’s the decisions you make, the situations that you are put in and the people surrounding you which can change who you are as a person.

6. Mega Mind’s change of character was brought about through love – discuss.
Megamind’s change of character was brought through his love of helping others. This is evident when Titan keeps Roxanne as a hostage and Megamind immediately goes to rescue her. In addition, Megamind changed as a person through his love for Roxanne. This is shown when Mega Mind cleaned the city because Roxanne told him that it was too polluted.

7. Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” How does this apply in Megamind and to which characters?
This quote applies in the film when the citizens of Metro City let Megamind take over when Metro Man was gone. This shows how they refused to put a stop to Megamind even though they didn’t agree with his actions. In addition, this also applies when Metro Man was bored of saving everyone so he refused to stop Titan.

8. Brainstorm the following idea: ‘Signs of Hope and Redemption in Megamind the film.’
• At the very beginning of the film, we can see that as a child, Megamind hoped that he would fit in with the other children.
• When Megamind achieves his goal by executing Metro Man, he comes to realise that Metro Man’s death was not what he truly desired. Therefore, using Roxanne’s idea, Megamind hopes to create another hero which will replace Metro Man.
• When Titan becomes the villain, Roxanne persuades Megamind to prevent Titan from destroying the city. Roxanne gives Megamind hope by talking about his strengths and tells him that he can stop Titan.
• After Titan finishes tying Roxanne to the tall building, she says to Titan that she hopes he can become good again.
• Megamind redeems himself when he tries to prevent Titan from destroying Metro City. He gives up his role of being the villain and becomes a true hero as he puts himself at risk to protect the citizens.