Review of 'The Lego Movie'
1st film in the 'Lego Movie' series
Emmett is an ordinary, every day, Lego figure working in construction who accidentally stumbles across the “Piece of Resistance”. “Wildstyle”, who believes Emmett is a “master builder” and the “most extraordinary” person who will save the Lego universe is taken to the wizard “Vitruvius” who tells them of the ultimate weapon “Kragle” that he was forced to give to “Lord Business”, the leader of the world who is determined to halt change by using the “Kragle” to glue the world together (literally). Lord Business learns of the potential threat and sends “Bad Cop” after Emmett and his group of believers including “Batman” and “Unikitty”. Will Emmett be able to step up and save the world?
When first watching this I was thinking “could this movie have been made without the 'gimmick' of Lego?” but this though very quickly vanished as the nature of Lego becomes a critical plot point - The surprise twist near the end of the movie changes things completely which really drives home the point that “everyone is awesome” (an interesting counterpoint to the song that features here “Everything is awesome”). There are a lot of knowing winks to various elements of pop-culture and to those that love the Lego toy that will appeal to both children and adults.
It did not feel to me like a movie that was simply about product placement (though the Lego logo is on the screen in pretty much every frame) - This is movie about the love of Lego and the behavior it inspires in people. I can't say it made me want to go out and buy more Lego but I do think it made me think a bit more about the plastic toy. It is simply a lot of fun - Sure this movie aimed at kids but many of the adults in our screening were enjoying it as much as the kids.
Amazing in 3-D and actually quite a big-screen movie with the level of detail in parts absolutely incredible. The designers have certainly cared enough to ensure the integrity of the Lego world and esthetic.
A lot of fun with a real heart and a definite message.
Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”
Review Date: 2014-02-23
Directed by: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Studio: Warner Brothers
Year: 2014
Length: 100 minutes
Genre: Animation
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490017/
Other reviewed films in the 'Lego Movie' series:
Other reviewed films by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller:
- 21 Jump Street (2012)