The LEGO Movie: Movie Review

Important Note: I may have to watch this movie again, to give it a fair review. As you will read below, there were some things going on around me during the screening that may have affected my enjoyment of “The LEGO Movie”

There is quite a bit to look at in “The LEGO Movie” which was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”, “21 Jump Street”). At its’ core “The LEGO Movie” is a great big ad for the toy line, but there is a whole lot more originality here than expected.  I loved  LEGOS as a child. It was one of the few toys out there that allowed kids to use their imagination to create. I am sure I created some awesomely weird stuff with my LEGOS, just like most of you did.  I have no doubt that “The LEGO Movie” will make the hugely successful toys even bigger.  

Although there is quite a bit that I liked about “The LEGO Movie”, I just didn’t love it.  It could be a mix of the frustration I felt from the child behind me continuing to kick my seat, even though his guardian, whom was sitting directly next to me had told him to stop. Or is could be that the guardian kept checking her phone and you know that light going on every few minutes was killing me.  I was already frustrated with the kid, I just didn’t have the energy to complain about the adult as well.  Due to my unpleasant experience during the screening, I carefully considered not writing a review at all. I was afraid that most of my negative feelings towards it had to do with the experience as a whole.

Without going into too much detail about “The LEGO Movie”, I will say that the thing looks fantastic.  With a mix of CGI and stop motion, you truly feel like this whole thing was actually made out of LEGOS. It never feels like it is CGI.  Chris Pratt is also wonderful as the voice of Emmet, who is front and center here. Pratt is supported by the voices of Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman.  Though the animation is superb and the voice talent is top notch, my main problem was that I hardly laughed at all.  Like I said prior, there were a few elements during this screening that altered my mood and I feel that I may need to watch “The LEGO Movie” again to give a much better review of the film.

I could tell that the filled theater enjoyed the hell out of what they were watching, with tons of laughter though out.  There is also a great message which comes to light in the final act and it is done in the most unexpected way.  “The LEGO Movie” is definitely much deeper than your run-of-the-mill 90 minute product placement, and I think families will enjoy it quite a bit.

By: Marc Ferman