THE LEGO MOVIE (review)

Review by Benn Robbins

I seriously don’t know where to begin with The Lego Movie.

This will probably be my least “professional” review of a film ever.

I am not apologetic.

This film was a metaphysical, emotional roller coaster that I WAS NOT expecting.

From the opening “Everything Is Awesome” intro song to the PIXAR-esque emotional gut-wrenching moment near the end, The Lego Movie delivers a 1-2-3–5-6-7-8-9-10 hit combo of sheer brilliance.

At it’s very basic story, the film is you average “Chosen One” story.

Every trope of this type of story is shot at you like a tee shirt machine gun.

However, HOW it is done and how tropes are spun on their heads and dealt with are magical and sublime.

The Lego Movie is the story of Emmett (voiced by Chris Pratt of Parks & Recreation), a common construction worker, who is mistaken for the Savior of the Lego world. He must go on a mighty quest to defeat the evil Adversary, played by Will Ferrell. Featuring some amazing voice acting by Will Arnett, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Morgan Freeman and Liam Neeson.

I can’t say this enough. GO SEE THIS FILM.

GO.

SEE.

THIS.

FILM.

The recommended ages for MOST LEGOS are 3 and up and this film is NO exception to that.

Harkening back to old school Muppets and Looney Tunes cartoons, the comedy is both funny and silly for the kids AND subtly adult and mature for the adults.

Pulling on the nostalgia heartstrings of parents and non-parents alike, there are moments I found myself openly weeping. I would secretly look around to see if I was the only one and to my happiness the two grown men next to me were quietly snorffliing their noses and wiping their eyes. If the Toy Story films or Wreck-It-Ralph are your cuppa tea then this film is for you.

As for the kids. (You know, it IS a kids film after all) The showing I went to was at 10am on a Saturday Morning. And they filled the theater with about 95% children. And it didn’t matter. As soon as the film started there was absolute silence.

Well, except for the cheering, laughing, and applauding.

There was a ton of that.

The children loved it. It kept their attention and even better they were fully engaged and excited.

When the film ended I sat there, watching the credits and was psyched to see that not only did Mark Mothersbaugh did the music but Lonely Island and Andy Samberg provided songs for the film.

I also couldn’t believe that I just sat and watched what may have been my favorite film of 2014, so far.

As I left I heard an exchange that made me a little verklempt. It went a little something like this…

“Hey dad, when we get home, can we play LEGOS together and have grilled cheese?”

“You got it, buddy.”

“Can we play LEGOS, ALL DAY?”

“I can’t think of anything I would rather do.”