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Ken Lear is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and leadership specialist.
Thought I’d try out being a movie critic this week. Here’s my review of The Lego Movie.
Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are known for turning awful ideas for movies into success. First came Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), based on the 1978 book of the same name. 21 Jump Street (2012) followed; a comedic take on the 80s television show. Their latest offering is The Lego Movie, based on the children’s toy of the same name, and is nothing short of an excellent children’s movie that offers something for adults as well.
Emmitt, voiced by Chris Pratt, is a run-of-the-mill construction worker Lego piece that has become accustomed to “following the directions” for everything in his life. When Emmitt stumbles upon the Piece of Resistance, an artifact that the “special” will find, he is sent on a hero’s journey to stop President Business (Will Ferrell) from controlling the world. Along for the ride is WyldStyle (Elizabeth Banks), magical wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), as well as Batman himself (Will Arnett). This A-list cast pulls no punches.
Lord and Miller successfully make a movie about children’s toy blocks work in various ways. The film is a technical marvel, with everything including water and fire being made up of Legos. Film references that adults will identify are found throughout, as well as cameos of the more famous Lego sets (1996 NBA All Star Team, Justice League, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Not to mention its free-for-all comedy works well, and could make it the year funniest move so far.
The plot behind The Lego Movie is nothing you’ve heard before. The underdog to hero tale has been tried and tested, but as cliché as it is, The Lego Movie stays fresh throughout. It never follows the rulebook of the typical based-on-a-license movie. They’re quick to bring up self-deprecating problems with a world made of Legos, while still showing a human side that all ages can relate to.
As the studios continue to pump out computer-animated throughout the year, The Lego Movie still finds a way to stand out. The world Lord and Miller have created is one that moviegoers haven’t seen before, and will be itching to come back to. The morale of the film’s story isn’t anything in your face either. Through Legos, we can create anything our imagination can come up with; this bodes the same with our future.
