Movie Review: “The Lego Movie”

For anyone who doesn’t know what Legos are, they are a popular line of construction toys consisting on plastic building blocks and mini-figures. They have been a major part of many a happy childhood; and I assume have inspired more than a few architects. Now that we have the general knowledge stuff out of the way, it’s surprising that it took so long for the Lego franchise to come out with a movie. The question is, now that they have, does it work? Well, let’s just say that directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller ensure that all the blocks are in place in this structure.

Emmet (Chris Patt) is an ordinary Lego mini-figure, who is content following the rules and living a straightforward life. His normal existence is turned upside down when he accidentally recovers the hidden “Piece of Resistance”, the only thing that can stop the evil President Business (Will Ferrell) and his henchman Bad Cop (Liam Neeson) from unleashing the devastating weapon “Kragle” on the Lego world. Instantly considered as the “special” (read ‘chosen one’) as per the prophecy stated by blind wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), Emmet must now join forces with Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett), Vitruvius and a slew of other master builders to ensure that President Business cannot carry out his evil plan.

“The Lego Movie” works on all levels –the animation, which uses CGI and has a stop-motion feel; is top notch and works well with the 3D to give the feel of a real Lego set environment. The plot, though predictable and really pushing its central message of ‘everyone is special’ and ‘let your imagination and instinct guide you’ onto the audience at every available opportunity, is quite heartfelt and sincere. Some may feel that it is more suitable for younger audiences as compared to other animation movies with more serious scripts, but I think all age groups would just enjoy letting their inner child out on this one.

The real plus here is the writing of the scenes and the dialogues – the movie will keep audiences laughing continuously as the jokes come one after the other with almost no let up. Even though most jokes are referencing popular movies and pop culture, and someone unfamiliar with these may not be able to appreciate some of the more ‘inside jokes’, there are just so many gags that every scene is enjoyable. Where else would you find Gandalf, Dumbledore, Michelangelo (the painter), Michelangelo (the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle), Shakespeare, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern and Abraham Lincoln all in the same sequence?

The movie boasts of an incredible voice cast, including the likes of Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Cobie Smulders, Dave Franco and Charlie Day (whew). As can be expected, not all of them get the same screen time, and most of the best lines are reserved for the major players. But everyone plays their part, in what is an epic ensemble cast. The lines are delivered so well and so seamlessly, the dialogues, characters and the script gel well to give us one of the best animated movies in recent memory.

I think “The Lego Movie” is a fun time, where audiences should just forget their worries and have a good time. Even if you haven’t played with a Lego set all your life, chances are that, after watching this movie, you may rush to your nearest toy store to get a set to relive your childhood and set your imagination free.