Megamind (2010)

As the story opens, Megamind (Will Ferrell) plummets toward the ground and his imminent death.  As he falls, he ponders his life.  Like Superman, he was sent to Earth as a baby during the destruction of his planet.  He was not the only one.  Metro Man was simultaneously sent to earth during the destruction of a different planet.  While Metro Man was raised by wealthy adoptive parents, Megamind was raised in the local prison. As kids, Megamind and Metro Man attended the same school for a time and became rivals.  Once he was an adult, Megamind embraced a career as a supervillain!  Of course, he had no powers beyond being a genius.  Despite his genius, Metro Man defeated him again and again, sending him back to prison for the next clash.

In his latest scheme, he has once again kidnapped Roxanne Richi (Tina Fey), a standard tactic that always lures Metro Man to certain doom. Well, ideally it would be his doom, but usually not.  Metro Man is not the only opponent for Megamind.  There is also Tighten (Jonah Hill), a hero that Megamind created with his genius. Oh, that may not have been wise.

It is easy to see the similarities of Metro Man to Superman, Roxanne to Lois Lane, and Megamind to Lex Luthor.  Metro Man is more of a showman than Superman, eagerly pumping up his fans in a display of his powers at the grand opening of his museum.  Likewise, Megamind stalks the streets of Metro City with a soundtrack playing, often dancing to the tune.

Ferrell is often hit or miss with his characters.  Megamind is a definite hit.  He is great in the role, which is several roles thanks to his disguise watch.  That Megamind has a character arc that few supervillains are ever given was quite entertaining.

Great popcorn fun.  Highly recommended.

Barbie (2023)

Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives an idyllic life in Barbieland.  It is a land where women are accomplished and men are accessories.  Ken (Ryan Gosling) is less fulfilled.  Unless he gets Barbie's attention, he feels empty and worthless.  Barbie's world starts to go awry when she ponders death, much to the horror of the other Barbies.  Then she finds her shower is cold, her milk is sour, and her feet are inexplicably flat.  She must consult Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who explains that a rift has been opened between the real world and Barbieland.  To seal the rift, Barbie must go to the real world, find the girl who plays with her, and fix whatever ails her.  Barbie would rather not but finally relents.  To her shock and dismay, Ken has stowed away in the Barbiecar and come to the real world with her.

Barbie is dismayed to find that men dominate the real world, including that the CEO (Will Ferrell) and the entire board for Mattel is exclusively male.  They want to box her up and send her back to Barbieland!  Meanwhile, Ken is delighted to find himself acknowledged.  One woman even asks him for the time!  He learns of patriarchy and horses!  While Barbie continues her search for the girl who plays with her, Ken returns to Barbieland to establish the patriarchy!

The story of Barbie is, surprisingly, that of Pinocchio.  She is unwittingly on a journey to become a real woman.  Along the way, she gets ogled, arrested, upbraided by a middle school girl (Ariana Greenblatt), and pursued by Mattel goons, but she does meet her girl - who proves to be an adult (America Ferrera).  The changes that Ken has wrought in Barbieland begin to show in the real world!  Now, Barbie must return to Barbieland and save it from Ken!

The relationship dynamics are shallow.  Barbieland had virtually no conflict - beyond some jealousy among the Kens - and was basically a female Utopia.  In fact, Ken really has some valid objections to Barbieland.  Obviously, I am not the primary audience for the film and can't really identify with some of Barbie's concerns.  The end message is weird.  So, Barbie was upset that the real world was dominated by men and yet that is the world she chose.  The final scene where I thought she was reporting for her first day as a female member of the Mattel Board - thus correcting that glaring oversight - was instead her first gynecology appointment.  Really?

By contrast, Ken's story arc is more interesting.  He exists in a world where he is an accessory and has no real purpose.  His visit to the real world and return swings the pendulum from Barbieland to Kendom.  Ken gets a song and dance routine, which is hilarious.  Though vapid and shallow, Ken is quite likable, almost childlike in how he views the world.

Overall, fun and vibrant.  Good popcorn fun.