The Lego Movie Review:
A Highly Sophisticated Interlocking
Brick System of Awesomeness
BY IAN TAN
The Lego Movie (they finally made one!) centers around Emette, a
generic, ordinary, and fully rule abiding Lego construction worker who soon
finds out that he is the prophesized Special who must save the Lego world from
President Business’ diabolical plan to use “the most powerful weapon in the
world”- the Kragle, to bring an end to the Lego World.
Firstly, the cast do a terrific job their characters. Chris Pratt,
who plays Star Lord in the upcoming ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ film, voices
Emette with great likability and heart. Elizabeth Banks lends her voice to
Wildstyle, the kick-butt female Master Builder, and shares good voice chemistry
with Chris Pratt. Morgan Freeman, as always, gives his character sense of
stature and godliness (just listen to those rich molasses) while also providing
the film with some of its funniest moments as Master Builder/ Wizard Vitruvius.
And Will Arnett voices one the funniest representations of Batman ever put to
screen (if you watch HISHE, you’ll definitely love this Batman). My favourite
however, has to be Liam Neeson as Good Cop/Bad Cop, who plays both sides of his
character in a truly entertaining and hilarious manner. A number of other
famous celebrities such as Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Shaquille O’ Neal, Cobie
Smulders, Dave Franco and many, many others fill The Lego Movie with cameos
that never seem to end and will definitely provide audiences some great added
fun.
As far as the visuals go, this movie is beautifully crafted and
animated. The seamless blending of stop-motion and animation truly breathe life
into this Lego universe- as in, they look like real, legit, living Lego
figures, not the animated kinds you see on television shows. The production
design here is impressive as well, proving that entire worlds can be built
purely out of Lego pieces and that the creativity that comes with Lego has no
limits. Besides that, the action sequences presented in this film rival even
the best action scenes most live action movies have, and sometimes outdo them.
For maximum immersive (and Lego realistic) value, a 3D screening of the film is
recommended.
Also a positive is the sheer amount of humour this film has to
offer, with laugh-a-minute gags that make the best and funniest use of the
characters Lego has the rights to (Shaquille O’ Neal, the Justice League
characters, and many, many more). Jokes based on the articulation and shape of
Lego figures never get old either (see: hand gestures, jumping jacks). This
film also serves as a satirical commentary that pokes fun at all the generic
movie clichés in an effective manner that never feels self-indulgent or forced.
Once we reach the third act, The Lego Movie brings out the big
(emotional) guns and becomes probably the one of the best animated/stop-motion
films ever made. The heart of the film that revolves around the limitless
creativity the Lego brand is associated with truly captures the essence of what
Lego is all about in the best possible manner that can be put to film. Credits
for this must go to Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who not only directed the film
but also wrote the screenplay.
Overall The Lego Movie has
to be one of the year’s, if not the year’s
most feel-good movie made.
8.9 out of 10 stars
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