Will Ferrell leads an all-star cast in DreamWorks' leftfield comedy, writes MARK LUNDRIGAN

EVIL turns good in DreamWorks' Christmas blockbuster - but who cares about morals and messages about baddies never prevailing when there's a barrel full of laughs and a three-dimensional riot of action to be had.

Will Ferrell, in his first lead voice-acting role, is perfect as the eponymous 'hero', bringing much of the off-the-wall humour he's made his own in films such as Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights.

Though the humour in Megamind matches anything Toy Story or Shrek can throw at the audience, it is a lot more leftfield to an extent that adults will be giggling more than children, but the little ones will have enough belly laughs to keep them rooted for 90 minutes.

After an inspired Superman-style prologue explaining how Megamind crashed to Earth as a baby, and how the blue-headed one's rivalry with fellow alien Metro Man (Brad Pitt) came about, we're led straight into the action.

Megamind and Metro Man's constant battles (to take control of/defend Metro City), come to an end when the evil one kills the hero and takes over the city with his trusty sidekick Minion (David Cross), who is basically a fish in a bowl on legs.

Despite having untold riches and control over Metro City, Megamind soon gets bored without the daily battles so decides to create another superhero to fight against.

When unwitting cameraman Hal Stewart (Jonah Hill) is zapped by a superhero-making gun and turns out to be more evil than his creator, Megamind must do battle, this time to defend Metro City.

Savvy world-weary journalist Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey), Hal's colleague and the former girlfriend of Metro Man, joins Megamind in the battle against the bad guy.

There are a number of set pieces which elevate this film above the usual volley of animated comedies released at this time of year, such as when Megamind constantly changes character to win over Ritchi's affections and the final battle when the new hero is helped out by an unlikely 'friend'.

All characters are well drawn-out, from Megamind's conscious-developing ne'er-dowell and Pitt's loveable lunkhead Metro Man, to human characters Roxanne, who gives a fresh 'seen-it-all-before' look to any of the evil concocted, and good loser turned bad loser Hal.

The 3D is used intelligently, with superheroes constantly flying in our faces, and there are some great rain effects which will have children (and some adults) holding their hands out expecting to touch it.

So will we see Megamind again? With both Pixar and DreamWorks scrambling around for franchises now their Toy Story and Shrek stables have been bolted (supposedly), there could be a possibility of a return.

Director Tom McGrath could be tempted and with a sequel (Madagascar 2) already under his belt, he may be the man to get this 'franchise' marching on.