MOVIE REVIEW: The Lego Movie

GENRE: 3D animation children’s movie

RUNNING TIME: 100 minutes

VOICES OF: Chris Pratt (Moneyball, Bride Wars), Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect), Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace), Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Elf )

DIRECTED BY: Phil Lord (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)

RATING: 8/10

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate. 

PLOT: Master builder Emmet (Chris Pratt) is a normal, everyday citizen who follows the rules and regulations, never diverting from the plans. That is, until he stumbles upon the crystal that contains the ‘Piece of Resistance’. Emmet’s world is turned upside down as he is imprisoned by the police, where he learns via Bad Cop (Liam Neeson) of a destructive plot to destroy the Lego Universe.
President Business(Will Ferell) is fed up and will use his secret weapon, the ‘Krackle’, to glue his Lego worlds into place. Emmet, having fulfilled the prophecy so far, must be stopped from getting in the way of President Business’ plans. Coming close to a melting, Emmet is saved as Wyldstyle Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) blows in to rescue him.

A master builder herself, Lucy recycles Lego pieces into fantastic vehicles as they escape the arms of the law. The ‘Piece of Resistance’ must be replaced at all costs.

Individuality must be restored and Emmet must accept that he is worthy of his role in saving the world.

THE GOOD: My son’s first words, “This is going to be epic!” set the tone.
Staying true to Lego the storyline is familiar with sweet humour and great family values. Spy plots and ninja moves alongside thrilling suspense combines James Bond with the CIA and Mission Impossible for an exciting adventure. The scenery is pure block magic and amazing for young Lego fans to see their own worlds come to life. Crafts and automobiles click together as they do inside Lego games, keeping the act of building alive. Childlike and simply effective, the Lego Movie was far more entertaining than expected.

THE BAD: Watching tiny animated blocks is an adjustment, but the movie does improve as it goes on. The journey through Lego realms is a little over the top, making this appear as more of an elevated advertising platform for the brand, but then… that’s from an adult’s point of view. The children adored seeing all of their characters on screen. The inclusion of a real-life story in the last quarter was bizarre and seemed out of place, removing the imaginative ideal the viewer had been placed into with a strange juxtaposition that required yet more adjustment.

VERDICT: There is no doubt that this very popular brand will result in a very popular movie. Cityville is the perfect utopia where everything is awesome and true to form, Lego delights all those who encounter it. Very much a children’s movie, aimed mainly at boys it seems, the girls present still rated the movie highly. The underlying morals that everyone is special and family is important, create an enjoyable movie that will have toddlers to grandparents singing as they leave the theatre, long after the movie is over.

Thanks to Ster-Kinekor Northgate for making the review possible.