Jeff Gebert
When I first heard that they were making a Lego movie, I thought that Hollywood had hit a new low. I mean, a Lego Movie? Then I heard that the guys who directed 2009’s masterpiece “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” would be directing it, so my hopes rose. I was still skeptical though, but now that I’ve seen it, I can tell you that “The Lego Movie” is a spectacular film.
The movie revolves around Emmet, a regular Lego guy with nothing special about him. In a world with miniature super heroes, secret agents and wizards, Emmet is just a normal construction worker. That is until one day he stumbles upon the Piece of Resistance and it is revealed that he is “The Special,” spoken of in the prophecy who can restore balance to the Lego world. If this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the standard “prophecy” plot that we’ve seen a million times, but this movie offers so much more than that.
The most unique aspect of “The Lego Movie” is the animation style. At first glance, it looks like the movie is done through stop-motion using Lego figurines and building sets, but actually, it is computer animated in a way that makes it look like it is stop-motion. The fun animation combined with the hilarious writing gives this movie a ton of personality. Actors such as Chris Pratt, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson and Will Arnett do a fantastic job voicing some of the Lego figures.
It’s rare to find a movie that is so funny and still manages to have a lot of heart. Yes, I can’t believe I’m saying it, but “The Lego Movie” has a good, heartfelt message. At the same time, it also managed to capture a lot of the nostalgia that came from playing with Legos as a child.
Its plot may be a tad bland, but absolutely everything else in this movie is fantastic. From the animation and hilarious writing to the characters and song “Everything is Awesome,” which is sure to be stuck in your head for the next month after you hear it, “The Lego Movie” is an absolute blast.
My rating 4.5/5
For a free screening of “The Lego Movie,” head over to Applied Arts 210 at 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. on April 25. The screening is sponsored by Blue Devil Productions.