Warner Brothers and the guys behind Lego toys are raking in the money with The Lego Movie (it has already made over US$236 million dollars in the US alone).
The unshameful self promotion movie not only promotes Lego toys (and the virtues of playing with them) but also promotes Warner Brothers' vast catalogue of characters (from Batman to Superman, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings etc.) So what makes this different from the Hasbro snooze fest that does the same thing year-in and year-out otherwise known as
Transformers?Well, the Lego movie is so self-aware, so witty and wait for it ... actually has a great story and set of values that makes it one of the coolest and funniest movies of 2014 thus far. Plus all the self promotion is done tongue in cheek so it's all forgiven. Let's dig in.
The plot revolves around Emmet, an extra-ordinary Lego man builder who may be the key to dethroning the evil Lord Business who wants order and commercialism to spread through the Lego world.
If the plot sounds familiar, it's because the guys rip-off a lot of other movies and pepper the film with those references from characters to plot points and even scenes.
The film is an orgasm of pop culture references, most of them are done with hilarious effect. Yet the film touches on solid ideas such as creativity vs. formalism, being an individual vs. following the crowd, self-acceptance vs. wanting to always be different, commercialism vs. independent spirit and more.
There are more layers to this film than you'd find in most live-action films and they are brought in a quick and funny way - the film never skips a beat.
The jokes work on levels that would appeal to the little ones but more to adults who may know the references (that call to other films and shows outside this film). The references also go as far as which voice actor is chosen for which role, for example Morgan Freeman is cast as Vitruvius, a mystique who kinda refers to his role as God on Bruce Almighty.
Directed by the same guys who gave us
21 Jump Street and
Cloudy with a Chance of Meat Balls, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller - these guys keep the pace up and fresh. They know how to deliver funny. The animation takes a little time to get used to but these guys are aware of pop culture and they milk it for all it's worth.
There are a lot of gags in this movie that speak to pop culture but the film never loses heart. Above the fun and jokes, there's a deep message about self-acceptance and family units in it. The movie does not even pussy foot around it's messaging but it does not hit you with the sledgehammer too.
For a movie that's very big on wits and joke it's actually interesting that the characters are well rounded and all have some sort of an arch they travel, including the bad guy.
By the end of the film we all feel like we can take something out of the film that can be applied into our real world existance - try getting that from the Transformers movie, any actually. Even some of the side characters like my favourite good cop-bad cop actually have their own little journeys they take in the movie.
The hipsters, film boffins and copywriters will really love The Lego Movie, the jokes may just go dead on some people, who may not know the references but the heart in the movie will touch all. The film will have you in stiches one way or the other. Everything is indeed "very awesome" in this movie - do yourself a favour and check it out.
Rating: ****
*junk **almost bearable ***now we cooking ****almost perfect *****classic
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Trailer Watch How to Train your Dragon 2 Yep, the gang is all coming back and oh my they've all grown a little including the dragons. Although the trailer kinda gives wayyyyy tooo much plot wise ... i'm still looking forward to this. Really enjoyed the first movie and what the TV series has done.
Frozen This is still out on circuit ... if you havent taken your little ones to see it what you waiting for!? For a change Disney finally debunks its own great myth that all a girl needs is love from a guy and shows that sisterly love (ie family) is stronger and more powerful than romantic love. Go check it out if you haven't.