Evil isn´t born

by Camila Rico

Have you ever heard the saying “Evil isn´t born, it´s made”? It is said that we are born free to choose our way and that nobody can change our will without our consent; but in that case, would we ever choose to be evil? Megamind, the main character of the film that takes his name, reflects, “No matter how hard I tried. I was always the odd man out. (…) The bad boy.”

Produced by DreamWorks Animation in 2010, “Megamind” is a 3D computer-animated action and comedy film.  Set in the fictional Metro City, the film portrays the life-long rivalry between Megamind, the blue and big-headed supervillain and Metro Man, the defender of the city and beloved superhero. After never-ending battles where he always loses, Megamind finally finds his rival´s weakness, which seems to be copper, and surprisingly defeats him. But then, he loses his purpose in life because he has no rival to fight against anymore. While being evil is the only thing he thinks he is good at, Megamind astounds himself and Metro City citizens when he saves the city from a new villain menace.

The film suggests that the strong influence that society has in personal development may corrupt people´s construction of beliefs. Although having a sweet and lovable soul as a child, Megamind becomes a bad boy due to his own experiences in life. Being led to exclusion, he assumes that maybe his purpose in life is no other than being evil. In this respect, “Megamind” condemns society as responsible for human evilness.

When constructing identity, environment and people may shape the primary understanding of the world of any child. After landing on Earth in a Superman-like manner, the two innocent new-borns, both later known as Metro Man and Megamind, arrive at two very different environments. While Metro Man gets to a wealthy family mansion, Megamind ends up in prison. They are both taught the difference between good and evil but, obviously, from different perspectives.  Being raised by prisoners in an unfavourable environment, Megamind learns that police is wrong while thieves are right. Thereby, he conceives evilness as the natural way of being. The role of prisoners in “Megamind” is a clear example of how bad influences in childhood lead people to construct wrong ideas of the world and believe that evilness is the correct path while goodness is the wrong one.

Belonging or not to a social group may affect behaviour and relationship skills. Although he heartily wants to be accepted, Megamind is continuously rejected by his classmates. At school, teacher and children are delighted with Metro Man´s abilities. While seeking acceptance, Megamind tries to imitate him with witty inventions of his own; but it always turns into a disaster and he ends up being mocked by his classmates and punished by the teacher. Being excluded, he feels completely alone with only one faithful friend in the world, a fish called Minion, who accompanies him since he was born. Megamind assumes that there may be something wrong within him and reflects, “Was this my destiny? (…) Being bad is the one thing I'm good at.” He comes to the conclusion that he is destined to be a supervillain and he proposes himself that he would be “the baddest of them all.”  Since then, he begins being a bad boy on purpose. The film shows that children who are constantly excluded and rejected at school may believe that they are actually the rotten apple of society and that their destiny is no other than being evil.

Strongly fixed stereotypes of beauty and good behaviour may exclude those who are different and don´t possess these accepted characteristics. While Metro Man is the role model to follow, Megamind doesn´t fit the common personal standards of society. Cute and charming, Metro Man is the perfect superhero: he is the altruistic and well-built man with enchanting face and manners who protects Metro City and gains the heart of its citizens. Megamind, the skinny and big-headed blue alien, is feared and rejected just for being different and weird. Without taking into account his feelings, society makes him an outcast for his mere appearance. Excluded and neglected, Megamind confirms that he and Minion are both alone against the world; and consequently, he also rejects any type of approach towards people and sees them as if they were on the enemy side. Of course, he would give people back the same “courtesy” he always receives from them. In this case, the film portrays how stereotypes of beauty and good behaviour let people who don´t fit in completely outside society and condemns them to isolation, disregard and evilness.

“Megamind” depicts the active role of society in leading people to bad choices and evilness. Being aware of this may make us reflect about our own responsibility. What would we do to change it? After changing himself and saving Metro City, Megamind finally concludes, “I guess destiny is not the path given to us, but the path we choose for ourselves.”