Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Everything is awesome in ordinary Emmet’s (Chris Pratt) blocktastic LEGO world. He follows the rules set by much-loved President Business (Will Ferrell) and enjoys his over-priced coffee, oblivious to the total destruction planned for Takos (the ‘s’ is silent) Tuesday. However, a chance encounter challenges Emmet to become extraordinary and join the quest to save the world.
Animal Logic completed the painstaking animation for the The LEGO Movie at their studio in Sydney. The process took more than two years to make the stop-motion style feel seamless, and it is quite an achievement for Australia.
Bad Cop/Good Cop (Liam Neeson). Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
This is a family movie full of familiar characters from the world of LEGO. Special mention goes to Liam Neeson (Taken) in his glorious turn as Bad Cop/Good Cop and Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses) as Benny, the 1980-something astronaut.
Unfortunately the last quarter diverts from the entertaining simplicity and nostalgia by throwing in a moral to the story. It’s a nice one, but it feels forced. The opposing tactics of first immersing the viewer in LEGO world and then making it obvious that these are toy figurines, is jarring.
The corny lines will get chuckles from the adults and the kids will love the action and amusing sound effects.
Beware of the catchy theme song. It sticks for days. (LL)
***/5
