By Armando
Coming in to a movie called “The Lego Movie” made me instantly assume I was in for a full-length product placement of a toy brand that, frankly, I was not completely enamored with when I was a kid. If this is indeed an extended Lego commercial as the title suggests, then consider me bought because I have just witnessed one of the best animated features in many years.
Warner Bros.
From the creators of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Phil Lord and Chris Miller constructed a relentlessly funny and hyperactive animated romp with a surprising final act that is emotional, inspiring and imaginative.
Mixing slick animation with slapstick comedy, as well as intelligent script full of zippy zingers delivered one after the other, the movie may appeal as much to nostalgic adult male audiences reminiscing their childhood Lego blocks, as well as young viewers who will be engrossed by the spectacular visuals and a lineup of hilarious and familiar characters from DC comics, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings doing their comedic turn amongst fresh and equally entertaining original characters.
The story is simple. It is about Emmet (Chris Pratt), a simple ordinary construction guy who listens to pop music (in this case “Everything is Awesome” a juvenile bubblegum pop that is also disturbingly catchy), pays expensive coffee and strictly follows Lego’s instruction manual to live his life of daily routines.
The leader of this Matrix-like world is President Business (Will Ferrell). He keeps everything in place, so determined in fact he plans on literally using Kragle glue to keep everyone’s feet firmly attached to the ground.
Enter Wyldstyles, (Elizabeth Banks), our free spirited tomboyish heroine who also happens to be dating Batman, (Will Arnett). She meets Emmet and the adventure into the fascinating world of Lego begins.
The movie is downright riotous and chaotic, clearly reflecting how Lego is supposedly played. One second the screen is littered with pieces of Lego blocks, then an ocean of super creative buildings, planes and fascinating background that will inspire one’s creative imagination.
This movie should be experienced in all its 3D glory.
The Lego Movie reminds us that the power of imagination and teamwork can go together in the process of building and creation, a message so simple yet surprisingly uncommon not just in animated features but movies in general.
