Hey, kids, be sure to buy all the toys!
Let’s just get this out of the way: The Lego Movie is not good. Everyone thinks it’s good, but it’s not. At best it’s average. People have become so blinded by the horrible garbage runoff that Hollywood incessantly churns out, that anything that isn’t remotely putrid is lauded as a masterpiece of cinema. That’s what happened with The Lego Movie. It wasn’t terrible, therefore, everyone thought it was amazing.
The Lego Movie starts out promising as it immediately critiques the homogenization of our culture, where everyone watches the same shitty TV show, drinks the same overpriced coffee, and listens to the same terrible pop music. “The Special” is the one person who will break the mold and revolutionize the Lego world. Unfortunately, this is where the film falls back in line with every trope you’ve seen before.
Everything is… awesome?
“The Special” is Emmet, an unassuming nobody who is so ordinary that of course he will be the one to change the world. We’ve seen this a billion times before. Emmet is an outcast, looking for his place in the world, and he is suddenly thrown into a madcap fantasy of action and adventure. He meets other “Master Builders” who can build any Lego configuration they want without instructions. Together they are supposed to do… something to stop the evil President Business from ruining the world.
The Lego Movie devolves into a standard chase film from this point forward. They move from scene to scene, showcasing the Lego company’s variety of sets that you can buy after you finish watching the movie, being chased by bad guys, and trying to heroically save the day. They don’t really do anything interesting, and spend most of the screen time running and jumping around. Really, it’s a 90-minute commercial more than anything else. Sure, it’s well disguised as a film, but don’t be fooled. The Lego Movie is about getting kids to buy products first and telling a story second.
“I went from The Dark Knight trilogy to this?”
There is a twist ending which comes in the last 20 minutes or so. It was fairly lame and far too lengthy. It went on and on, practically derailing the film. The pacing was thrown far off course, and you realize that everything the heroes do is completely irrelevant compared to what the characters in the twist are up to.
The humor really wasn’t that funny. I don’t remember laughing at all. I grinned a few times and thought a few things were clever, but I never really laughed. It isn’t a hilarious movie by any stretch of the imagination. The voice acting is also surprisingly weak. Chris Pratt is good as Emmet, and Will Arnett is perfect as the grumpy Batman. Will Ferrell is phoning it in as President Business, Morgan Freeman sounds like he is about to die of old age as Vitruvius, and Liam Neeson obviously does not give a fuck about his character to even attempt any acting. When the actors are so spotty, it’s hard to stay fully engaged in the movie.
The Lego Movie is ultimately a disappointment. It’s only mildly amusing, its underlying critique of culture is quickly forgotten, and it’s nothing more than a giant commercial. I wouldn’t waste your time with this unless you want to park your kids in front of the TV for 90 minutes.
Verdict: Average
Awesomely Shitty 
Wow, now that’s harsh considering the near-universal praise this thing has received. I think it’s a little cynical to call this film out purely as a toy marketing machine – I mean, what’s the statute of limitations on a toy brand being around long enough for pop-culture saturation before a film comes along anyway? I haven’t seen this film, though, so I can’t comment specifically, but you do make some nice points. I’ll be back to reconsider once I’ve witnessed the movie.
OK, maybe it’s not purely meant as a commercial, but there is a particular scene where they show off all the different Lego worlds and make a joke about how they won’t be in the movie. On the surface, yeah, it’s a joke, but underneath they are reminding people of the other Lego products not in the film. It’s definitely a commercial.
I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the film once you see it. Don’t let universal praise fool you, it can be a recipe for disaster.
I think you make some valid points even though I had a fun time with Lego movie. Just because it’s a well-received movie doesn’t mean everybody has to like it. 🙂
I’m glad you thought some of my points were valid. Obviously, the movie isn’t for everyone.
I guess I can kind of see where you’re coming from, but this just reminded me of the fun you can have playing with lego. FUCKING HATED the stupid reality segment at the end, ruined the film for me, but the rest was nostalgia gold. I was crying at one point with the SPACESHIP!!!! guy, and got plenty laughs from the “are you a DJ” gags and Batman – did you hear his emo song?!?!? How could you not love Batman doing an emo song??!?
😦
Batman was one of the highlights, for sure. I think, yeah, the reality segment probably brought the overall score down from Good to Average. It was so stupid, so lame, it nearly derailed the entire movie. I wasn’t huge into Lego as a kid, so I guess I didn’t have any nostalgia for it. Maybe that’s the real reason why so many people like the movie?
Loki Jr. wanted to see this movie, but I managed to convince her we shouldn’t because I “read a review that said it wasn’t very good.”
Of course, now we’ll probably just end up having to watch Frozen again….
Haha, I have so much influence now. Honestly, as far as kids movies go, you could do a lot worse. You might as well watch this instead of Frozen again.
Wow, disappointment? Really? Well, LEGO has done well. Seeing as it nearly went bust and disappeared from us a few years back to now having a line of games, probably a line of films, and being back to being a hugely popular toy for kids and adults. I gotta give it to them there.
Not yet seen the film, but been told, I will love it. Apparently!
Disappointing due to all the hype. On its own, it holds up fairly well.
didnt like it. it was too modern, if that makes any sense