Megamind: Music from the Motion Picture

Reception

Megamind: Music from the Motion Picture received generally positive reviews from most music critics. A review in AllMusic wrote that "one doesn't expect subtlety in an animated children's movie of the early 21st century, and, by extension, there's no reason to expect subtlety in a musical score written to accompany one. Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe's background music for Megamind employs a large orchestra (plus, of course, synthesized sounds) to large effect. When the mood is adventurous, it is very adventurous, when it's sad, it's very sad, etc. This is scoring that hits the listener over the head repeatedly. Similarly, the few pop songs that have been inserted in among the orchestral cues seem to have obvious purposes. How many times has George Thorogood & the Destroyers' "Bad to the Bone" been used in a movie? Well, the first instance seems to have been Christine (a Stephen King horror adaptation about a demonic car) in 1983, but it's just such a useful anthem for bad guys that it is perennially brought back. Gilbert O'Sullivan's maudlin "Alone Again (Naturally)" and Minnie Riperton's saccharine "Lovin' You" may remind the parents (or grandparents) who are intended to recognize and enjoy them just how terrible a decade for pop music the 1970s could be. But it's Zimmer and Balfe's ever-busy music that dominates here, and it must at least keep up with the cartoon characters on the screen.

Kimberly Lynn Workman of Fandomania noted that the film is "interspersed with the original music are well-known tracks from famous artists. "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton is a song that originally was meant to convey the feeling of being in love. Over the years, as it's been used in soundtracks, it has also brought a humorous slant to the characters' relationships. I expect nothing less from the movie's use of it here. "Alone Again Naturally" by Gilbert O'Sullivan has always made me snap my fingers and you just know that the bittersweet feeling it creates will fully illustrate a scene to pull at our heartstrings. I have to admit that I've always had a soft spot for not only Elvis Presley, but the Junkie XL Remix of "A Little Less Conversation." I was very pleased that it was included on this soundtrack because the world is a happier place with a dose of Elvis. To end the famous tracks, we get "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood & the Destroyers. It's a self-proclamation that fits right in with this movie."

Richard Buxton of Tracksounds stated: "To assume that a score that deceives expectations and opts for a scheme different to that of the regular hero vs. villain tale is a failure would be wrong. Megamind may occasionally induce a desire to hear such conventions in full force, but Zimmer and Balfe have weaved a score that is engaging and consistently refreshing to listeners, and is a credit to the film it accompanies."

Jonathan Broxton of Movie Music UK wrote that "the score for Megamind is a great deal of fun, and will appeal tremendously to anyone with an affinity for John Powell's animated adventure scores such as Robots and Bolt, with which this score has a lot in common. It's also gratifying to see Lorne Balfe emerge into spotlight as a composer in his own right after spending years in the background manipulating Hans Zimmer's synthesizers. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here." Danny Graydon of Empire film magazine gave the score a positive review, stating that "DreamWorks' latest family comedy about a big-bonced super-villain sees Hans Zimmer (with long-time collaborator Lorne Balfe) revisit some of his less-appreciated work. Those who get bored with Zimmer's reliance on electronics in his blockbuster scores will find much to enjoy here: it's a fun, quirky orchestral effort mixing parodic moments (Giant Blue Head) with brassy fanfares (Stars and Tights) and pretty romance (Rejection in the Rain). It's not teeming with originality, but worth a listen to hear Zimmer leave his comfort zone."

Track listing

All music composed by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe, except as noted.

Other songs used in the film include:

Original Music By Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe

Additional Music Arrangements By Michael A.Levine,Junkie XL & Stephen Hilton

Orchestra Conducted By Gavin Greenaway