½
Australia | USA | Denmark 2014
Starts April 10, 2014
Directed by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Writing credits: Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller story, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller screenplay
Cast: Will Arnett, Melonie Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Chris Pratt, Jadon Sand, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie
Length: 100 minutes
An ordinary guy, Emmet (Pratt) lives according to a list of instructions. Leaving work he sees a hooded figure, investigates, and encounters Wyldstyle (Banks) who leads him down the proverbial rabbit hole. Eight-and-half-years earlier the Wizard, a.k.a. Vitruvius (Freeman) prophesied a Special One would someday come to lead MasterBuilders against the controlling tyrant. Pressures escalate, Lord–President Business (Ferrell) relentlessly markets Taco Tuesday, and then The Piece of Resistance lands on Emmet’s back. All assume the Special One is arrived! Until the MasterBuilders conclave—time to rethink alternatives.
Licensed comic, sports, and cartoon characters, and favorite Minifigures from LEGO theme sets—many as cameo or bit parts—dizzyingly whirl on/off screen with decent voice acting and the ubiquitous 3D. Using stop-motion and CGI animation everything moves like actual LEGO pieces might: people, vehicles, and natural elements, e.g. water, sky, fire. The story is borderline boring. The film is pontifical and advocates conformity; the numerous clichés are embarrassing. Story pieces haphazardly pop in place at the end. Might appeal to young boys, but for adolescents and adults it will depend on their level of sophistication, product knowledge, and patience. No wonder LEGO is scrambling to devise girlie theme sets. Echoing LEGO®’s current brand statement “Play On” The Lego Movie goes on, and on…— the tradeoff? Merchandise endorsement rather than an imaginatively fun film. ()