Review: “The Lego Movie”
An epic battle between the forces of strict order and the agents of freedom and creativity is happening right now on the big screen and in toy chests near you. “The Lego Movie” offers humor and excitement for people of all ages. Whether you are a child or are a child at heart, “The Lego Movie” has a message for you, and that message is that “Everything is Awesome!!!”
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the minds behind “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “The Lego Movie” hosts an impressive list of voice actors including Chris Pratt plays Emmet, the film’s zany protagonist, Will Ferrell as the tyrannical Lord Business, and Elizabeth Banks as the mysterious stranger and Master Builder Wyldstyle. Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Allison Brie, Charlie Day, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill, among many other noteworthy celebrities, are credited for voicing various characters as well.
The film follows Emmit, a regular construction worker who stumbles (literally) upon the Piece of Resistance, a strange and powerful artifact that changes his destiny. The Piece is the only obstacle stopping the evil Lord Business from ending the world on Taco Tuesday. With the help of Wyldstyle and the other Master Builders, including Batman, Abraham Lincoln, Shaq, Shakespeare, Dumbledore and more, Emmet has to overcome conformity and believe that he really is special.
“The Lego Movie” is visually impressive, thanks in part to the film’s artistic director, Chris McKay, known best for his work on “Robot Chicken”. In true Lego fashion, the world is entirely composed of the beloved Danish building toy. Brought to life with stunning computer animation, the lively world is filled with old fan-favorite Lego themes like the Wild West and Space as well as newly-popular Lego themes like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and DC Superheroes. But, like Lego bricks, these neatly organized themes do not stay separate for long. Visual elements (as well as Lego elements) are combined and rearranged in new ways, showing the value of creating new and interesting creations like only Lego can.
Though you would expect a film produced by a toy line to be a glorified commercial, “The Lego Movie” is surprisingly aware of itself. Instead of acting purely as a marketing device, the film feels sincere in its themes of acceptance and individuality, which is refreshing. While watching the movie, characters do not feel like products—they feel real. Though coincidentally, some viewers may feel a slight compulsion to visit the toy section of the next department store they visit, because who doesn’t want a Princess Unikitty of their own? Also, good luck getting the movie’s theme “Everything is Awesome!!!” out of your head. Check out the music video below for proof.
“The Lego Movie” is a great film for families and movie lovers alike. It offers a fun, creative and expansive world that is fantastic but believable. A powerful and moving theme along with great directing and voice acting, make this “kids’ movie” an instant classic.