I realised something when I was watching Megamind today.
The scene where he almost begs the “Warden” to let him go after Tighten calls him out is the first time we see the real him.
Megamind plays his part and plays it well – he’s every inch the Supervillain, the Showman, the Bad Guy. The only time we really see his mask slip before that scene is, ironically, when he’s disguised as Bernard and we get to briefly see the sweet, genuine guy he really is when he feels like he’s not being judged for how he looks for the first time in his life.
But this scene…
Okay, he does start out being his usual dramatic self when he tells the “Warden” “I… am… sorry!” and smooshes his face against the glass
But when the “Warden” says “…Not buyin’ it” he stops and for the first time, we see his true self.
His weary sigh and reply of “I don’t blame you. I’ve terrorised the city countless times” is delivered with a softly regretful tone. He knows what it’s like to be thought of as “normal” now and he can imagine how his antics must have felt from the other side.
“I lied to Roxanne…”
“And my best friend Minion… I treated like dirt.”
Look at him. The pure emotion that he’s allowing himself to feel here – it’s hit him hard that he’s lost his only friend and that Roxanne is in danger because of what he’s created.
But he doesn’t want a pity party. In the next breath, he pleads with the “Warden” to let him go.
“Don’t make this city pay for my wrongdoings” (because he’s realised how much he loves his adopted home. Look at the way he says “terrorising our” then corrects himself to say “your city” when he’s trying to get Metro Man to help)
He’s surprised when it seems to work. After all, he’s never been so real when he hasn’t been hiding behind a disguise…
But Minion always knew the real Megamind ^^
Megamind’s genuine smile…
The genuine affection in his expression…
This scene is just beautiful (ffs somebody hug him while I pull myself together over here *cries* )
***
(Special mention to the music and Mr Ferrell’s voice acting here because OH MY GODS.)
Honestly you can tell that this man never meant serious harm to anyone within the city and I love how genuine he was about it. And when he sees Minion – what a cute little shit
Will Ferrell is honestly an underrated voice actor and A+++ would want him to voice more characters in the future~
The animators did an amazing job here too!
I do think his mask slips quite a few times before this, but those are mostly either momentary and accidental, or when he’s alone, or, as you say, when he’s in disguise. This is the first time he intentionally drops it in front of another person and as himself. This isn’t an accidental slip, but a conscious choice to be open and honest, and it is, as you say, absolutely beautiful.
I quite enjoy the way masks and disguises and hiding behind them is such a big theme in this movie, both literally and figuratively!
setepenre-set 