Janis P.
Finally, an excuse to run around the house singing “Everything is Awesome”! That’s right, we’ve been watching The LEGO Movie. In fact, I am meant to be writing a review of the movie, but you already know what I’m going to say: it’s awesome. It’s hilarious, clever, and the animation is more than a little mind-blowing.
What is The LEGO Movie about?
Emmett, an ordinary LEGO construction worker is going happily about his quite sheltered life. He’s a nice guy, a solid, reliable, part of the team, the sort of guy you can count on to follow the rules and work hard without question. Suddenly, he finds himself looked to as the one the prophesy spoke of – “The Special” – the one person who can save the world from the evil Lord Business.
Isn’t the story a bit formulaic?
Well, yes, but that’s okay because it’s an age-old formula that works. Think of The Lord of The Rings, Star Wars, The Matrix… and actually almost any story that has stood the test of time – these stories work because we identify with the hero and their journey feels real to us on an emotional level – stories like these make us feel like we have the potential to do great things.
The hero’s journey always begins with the call. One way or another, a guide must come to say, ‘Look, you’re in Sleepy Land. Wake. Come on a trip. There is a whole aspect of your consciousness, your being, that’s not been touched. So you’re at home here? Well, there’s not enough of you there.’ And so it starts.
– Joseph Campbell
From Emmett’s ordinary world to his friendship with Wild Style, meeting his mentor, and all of the challenges he needs to face along the way, and his ultimate test – the parallels with Frodo’s journey are all there, and, well, it all makes for some pretty fine storytelling.
Is The LEGO Movie good for kids?
The LEGO Movie works on about a zillion levels – the script is absolutely perfect from start to finish, with bone dry wit and tongue-in-cheek humour that’s perfectly pitched for adults and older teens, and peppered with 80s references that only the mums and dads will really get. Most of my favourite jokes and references went completely over my kids’ heads (they are 6 and 7), but the film is so packed with silliness and action that the children loved it and wanted to watch it again and again.
Favourite scenes from The LEGO Movie?
No way, I am absolutely not giving anything away. I guarantee you’ll have a whole stack of favourite scenes even by the time you’re halfway in. And yes, you are going to want to dive right back into your plastic bin of LEGO pieces (I know you have one) and build some cool stuff.
The best LEGO Movie characters?
You know what I’m going to say. Given the choice of the super kind, cheery and affable Emmett versus the dark, intense and painfully aloof Batman… well, I know who I would rather spend my Friday night with. Plus, he’s got some really cool wheels. Sigh.
I love, love, love Morgan Freeman as Vitruvius, Will Ferrell is brilliantly cast as Lord Business / The Man Upstairs, and Jonah Hill as The Green Lantern is absolutely hilarious.
Overall, I’d have to agree with all the other LEGO Movie reviews out there – everything about this movie is awesome. Don’t forget to check out the fan-made films on the DVD – they are most excellent.
[button link=”http://www.suppose.com/products/” type=”big” newwindow=”yes”] Best prices for The LEGO Movie DVD[/button]
Watch The LEGO Movie trailer!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of The LEGO Movie DVD from Suppose to enable me to write this review. All views on the film are my own!
