Rent The Lego Movie (2014)

The Lego Movie (aka Lego: The Piece of Resistance) review by George Hooper - Cinema Paradiso

Whoever came up with the idea to make a Lego movie in the first place expected the cynical views of most of the viewing public I assume because not only does the movie face the criticism head on but it happily makes jokes at its own expense making a playful kids movie into something much more enjoyable to the adults dragged along to it.

The film follows Emmett (Chris Pratt), a regular builder who finds himself forced into a conflict between good and evil when he happens upon an ancient relic that is said to have the power to stop an ancient weapon in the possession of Lord Business (Will Ferrell) and his lackeys. With the help of Wildstyle (Elizabeth Banks) and her many allies he might just be able to defeat Lord Business and save the Lego world.

While a whole world made out of bricks seems ludicrous and incredibly hard to craft, the animators behind the movie manage it remarkably well. The action is entertaining and clear, the vast realms are unique and even a little bit cheeky (a realm mocking Peter Jackson had me laughing). Even the characters have their own quirky character traits like their detachable and unstable hair pieces to the ease in which legs and other extremities can be removed without serious problems.

The best part however is the willingness of every voice actor involved to mess with their own celebrity status with Morgan Freeman playing his usual sidekick character with added sass and Liam Neeson giving one of the films lead villains an unexpected and oftentimes hilarious twist. The whole film is full of pop culture references aplenty and while most of these will go past the regular child audience, it may in fact keep the adults in far better spirits than the kids