When superhero movies start to grow stale, there is one thing that Hollywood can do to revive the genre... more LEGO movies! After The Lego Movie, I craved more LEGO Batman. After a few years, I was still excited for this film and it did not disappoint. The Lego Movie introduced us to the crazy world of the LEGO cinematic universe, unknowingly opening a whole new children's film sub genre. Yet, this film is a fun time for adults along with children. Subtle jabs at political figures (President Trump himself) and self-centered characters push the film's subtle adult humor. However, an inspiring message for the kids is still revealed towards the end of the film. That way, we don't feel guilty about the film's education value.
Throughout The LEGO Batman Movie, I was constantly trying to figure out who was voicing each character. Of course, Will Arnett (Despicable Me, Ratatouille) returns as one of the best cinematic Batman characters ever along with Michael Cera's (Juno, Superbad, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) addition of an oddly flamboyant Robin. Other familiar names round out the cast of villains and heroes. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)) might not be your typical Joker, but I will admit that I enjoyed his rendition more than Jared Leto's (Requiem for a Dream, Dallas Buyers Club).
Whenever a film as innovative as this one comes out, I have to take the time to admire the effects. As a LEGO action movie, this film has some super cool effects that had me wondering how hard it is to create such a film. Warner Bros. seems to have struck gold, but I am sure they put in a lot of gold in the creation of this piece of art. The cast is probably expensive enough, but the LEGO effects must have taken a lot of workers and time as well. I should be able to maintain my interest in this genre for at least the next half-decade. I know nothing about the NINJAGO universe, but the trailer for that next franchise installment already has me hyped!
The Bottom Line: This is truly a family film that LEGO and Batman fanatics can enjoy in the same theater.
Score: 7/10
Throughout The LEGO Batman Movie, I was constantly trying to figure out who was voicing each character. Of course, Will Arnett (Despicable Me, Ratatouille) returns as one of the best cinematic Batman characters ever along with Michael Cera's (Juno, Superbad, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) addition of an oddly flamboyant Robin. Other familiar names round out the cast of villains and heroes. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)) might not be your typical Joker, but I will admit that I enjoyed his rendition more than Jared Leto's (Requiem for a Dream, Dallas Buyers Club).
Whenever a film as innovative as this one comes out, I have to take the time to admire the effects. As a LEGO action movie, this film has some super cool effects that had me wondering how hard it is to create such a film. Warner Bros. seems to have struck gold, but I am sure they put in a lot of gold in the creation of this piece of art. The cast is probably expensive enough, but the LEGO effects must have taken a lot of workers and time as well. I should be able to maintain my interest in this genre for at least the next half-decade. I know nothing about the NINJAGO universe, but the trailer for that next franchise installment already has me hyped!
The Bottom Line: This is truly a family film that LEGO and Batman fanatics can enjoy in the same theater.
Score: 7/10
Image credit: By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Chris McKay & Will Arnett, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56228004
