Review 241: "The Lego Movie"

Everything is awesome!

That Went Better Than Expected

      The Lego Movie is a 2014 animated film based off of the Lego toy brand that has been around since we were all kids. After video games and TV shows, Lego finally has stepped into the theatrical film world. Directed and written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs) and follows Emmet (Chris Pratt), an ordinary Lego worker when one day he learns that he's is "the Special", who is the only one that can stop Lord Business (Will Ferrell) from destroying the Lego world. With the help of Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), Batman (Will Arnett), Unikitty (Alison Brie), Benny (Charlie Day) and Metal Beard (Nick Offerman), Emmet must find what makes him special and save the world. 

I don't like what Batman's doing offscreen...

Well, How Bout That

      Ideally in a perfect world I wouldn't need to tell you a review. I would just tell you that already The Lego Movie is one of the best films of the year and if you are one of the seemingly few people who didn't see the movie, you should probably get on that. See, The Lego Movie is to kids movies what The Cabin in the Woods was to horror movies. And that might be giving away too much. Needless to say, The Lego Movie is not only a perfect example of it's own genre, it also is pretty damn hilarious and smarter than it in any way need to be. If the film had just been a funny, but safe film based on the Lego toys, everyone would be okay with that. But the fact that the movie is one of the most bold films I've seen in a wild, especially a kids film, is something of a minor miracle. 

Baby's First Mindblowing

      I mean, the fact that Batman isn't just a walk-on cameo but a full on main character is cool enough, but the way the story turns out, especially using other licensed characters outside of their own, is pretty brilliant. Most adults will, probably get an idea of where they are heading, but I think even the most genre-savvy filmgoer will be surprised that The Lego Movie is bold enough to actually go where you're thinking it's going to go. And seeing as how the kids in my absolutely packed theater loved the film from beginning to end, it's safe to say that the boldness that Miller and Lord showed in Meatballs and 21 Jump Street will have won audiences over by the time we hear that awesome "Everything is Awesome" when the credits role.

My face after this movie.

The Verdict

      It makes me very happy to be giving out a perfect score this early in the year and The Lego Movie has earned it and more. Smart, bold, clever, hilarious and sweet, The Lego Movie is the perfect example of the great kids film many people think kids aren't capable of understanding. Everyone will love what is mostly likely the next film to join the group of animated movies that kids will be having themed birthday parties around for years to come. The Lego Movie gets 6 stars out of 6.