'The Lego Movie' A Review

The Lego Movie is a combination stop-motion/computer-animated family adventure film inspired by the popular construction toy. Evil President Business is in search of the "Kraggle" a powerful weapon that will end the world. During a confrontation with the wizard Vitruvius a prophecy is born that sees the end of President Business. Eight and a half years later we follow Emmet a normal construction worker in a uniform world created by President Business where everything is awesome, everyone follows the instructions, and everyone watches the hit show "Where Are My Pants?" We follow Emmet on his chance encounter with the Piece of Resistance and his subsequent journey to save the world.

As one highly suspicious and frequently disinterested in animated and family films The Lego Movie blew me away. The humor and social commentary of the film played on multiple levels throughout. Seamlessly moving from jokes for adults, to jokes for children, to jokes for both. The message of the film is similar to other family films stressing that every individual is unique and has value however the way it is presented has much broader reaching implications from corporations to interpersonal relationships.

The film itself is beautiful and bizarre. In the Lego world everything is made out of Legos from clouds to the ocean to lasers. There is an amazing amount of ingenuity at play depicting natural landscapes as well as day to life, the film goes way beyond rudimentary Lego structures.

The voice acting is excellent. Lead by a funny, grounded, easy-going, earnest peformance from Chris Pratt as Emmet the cast brings humor and emotion in equal parts. Even through the most harrowing parts of the film there is a contagious joy coming from the actors.

A shockingly funny and moving picture. For ages 4 and up.

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