The cynicism is understandable: “
The LEGO Movie? Seriously?” But Phil Lord and Christopher Miller set out to make the most entertaining movie possible based on a toy, plus a manifesto on how to create real art. The set-up is like a kiddie version of
The Matrix, with mini-figure construction worker Emmet (Chris Pratt) finding himself identified as the fulfillment of a prophecy to save the world from evil President Business (Will Ferrell). He joins other character figures including Batman, and yes, there are in-joke references from
The Dark Knight and other pop-culture touchstones. Yet Lord and Miller remain focused on the toy’s imaginative possibilities, both visually and from a storytelling standpoint. Their movie becomes a delightful instruction manual for how to make the best creation from any brand: You've got to have the nerve to throw away the instruction manual.
By
Scott Renshaw