Lego Move stacks up well

Lego Move stacks up well

By Jay Martinez

Contributing Writer

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have been on a roll. From Cloudy With a Chance of Meatball to 21 Jump Street they have shown a talent for adapting material and creating something that feels original. Lord and Phil have taken first a beloved children’s book, then an obscure 80s television show, and now a timeless toy and turned them into funny, entertaining, and occasionally poignant films. 

There is a lot to unpack in The Lego Movie. On a basic level, it is an entertaining children’s film that will keep young ones entertained throughout its runtime. On top of that is a film that adults will enjoy. Then there is the social commentary. $42 coffee? Check. Laughing at television shows when you are told to? Check. And finally there is the overall positive message the movie communicates. The film works on each of these levels. 

The Lego Movie is genuinely funny. It is filled with puns, clever allusions, and several effective uses of physical comedy. The gags never stop. There are several scenes in which something humorous happens in the background. This gag is ignored by the main speaking characters, and is played for laughs. The film often comments on its own dialogue to a comical effect. The cameo by a certain ship from a well-known sci fi franchise is particularly memorable. The film never feels tired.

The cast is varied and entertaining.  Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Will Ferrell, Dave Franco, and Jonah Hill give life to both the licensed and original characters. Arnett’s Batman delivers some of the most memorable lines in the film. Batman’s song that he plays to show off his new subwoofers is quite amusing. Charlie Day’s Benny (or 1980s space guy) has a fixation on building a spaceship that turns out to be both amusing and affecting.

The animation style used in the film is a blend of computer animation and stop motion. The amount of detail in the lego city fleshes out the world and draws the viewer in. The film is simply interesting to look at. The opening number featuring the annoyingly catchy song “Everything is Awesome” establishes a problematic totalitarian tone for the home city of our hero, Emmet. This world is all about order and the movie eventually questions the value of complete control. The action sequences are fast paced and frantic, but still remain clear. The film really does not breath until the last act. 

The script takes a turn during the finale of the film. Revelations are made that make the viewer reevaluate everything that came before. The sequence is surprising and emotional. These final minutes is where the heart of the film makes itself known. To say anything more about the ending would take away from its impact. 

The Lego Movie takes us back to the early Pixar era where “children’s” movies were more than cute diversions that parents had to trudge through. It is a movie that has heart and a message, but is still fun enough not to bore its audience. Under the flashy animation there is human truth. Creativity is important. Change can be a positive force. The Lego Movie took me by surprise and turned out to be a funny, entertaining, and thoughtful ride.