In its attempt to spoof the superhero genre, Megamind just may be too smart for its own good.

DreamWorks Animation and pop culture riffs have almost become synonymous with one another. Their cornerstone Shrek franchise took that formula and ran with it in 4 films, taking the mickey out of every fairytale convention and pop trend imaginable.

Now the focus has shifted to the superhero movie, with Megamind the latest all star voice ensemble that tries with all of its might to soar above a packed field on animated movies, yet fails with every attempt.

Essentially an altered version of the Superman mythos, Megamind stars an appropriately over the top Will Ferrell as the title character, a super villain whose plans for world domination never come to fruition.

Playing Superman to his Lex Luthor is Metro Man, a blue eyed, steel chin hero voiced by Brad Pitt, who simultaneously does cocky and daggy very well.

Continuing this roster of archetypes is the Lois Lane knockoff Roxie Ritchie, voiced by Tina Fey with all of the satirical wit she could muster.

When Megamind finally bests his nemesis and is given free reign to spread his wicked influence, the blue skinned villain falls into a depressive state, for what good is a villain without a hero to combat him?

It is an interesting question, but never taken to its full potential.

In its place instead is Ferrell trying his best to wrangle a few laughs from a generic screenplay (courtesy of Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons), which features way too many puns detectible only to those with inside knowledge on the genre it is lampooning, although an impersonation of Marlon Brando in Joe-El mode did have the desired effect.

So too does its visuals, enhanced by a decent use of 3D which really shines during its action sequences, no doubt the films’ best moments.   

Yet Megamind isn’t trying to sell its ability to do fisticuffs, it’s trying to make us ability to make us laugh, and with jokes as lazy as these said in such an over the top manner, Megamind is anything but super.