The Lego Movie (2014) may be the most entertaining feature-length product placement ever created.
Written and directed by big screen pop culture surfers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the animated feature plays with the possibilities inherent in the toy universe of interlocking blocks where everything is awesome when you follow the rules and never stray from the kit instructions, or so LEGO minifigure and born follower Emmet (voice of Chris Pratt) believes. Then he’s told that he’s “the Chosen One” in the rebellion against Lord Business and his plot to freeze the possibilities into static perfection.
Elizabeth Banks voices the rebel agent Wyldstyle, a master builder and adrenaline junkie who spirits Emmet from his regimented life of lock-step activity and brings him into the rebellion. It’s the first step on a wild ride through the possibilities in a world where everything is not quite as awesome as Emmet believes.
The colorful adventure (and it is colorful, in all the bright, primary hues of the toy bricks) is a collision of order and anarchy as a superhero fable that spills over in to the real world in a marvelously clever and resonant turn. That’s where the film becomes unexpectedly meaningful, perhaps even profound.
The Lego Movie is a paean to creativity and play and possibilities. It’s also wildly clever and very funny, crammed with goofy puns and surreal silliness, a comedy for kids and for the kids inside every adult.
Will Ferrell has roles both in the fantasy world of plastic parts and in the human culture just outside and Morgan Freeman spoofs the whole cliché of the wise sage who mixes prophecy with exposition. Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, and Charlie Day are all part of the misfit rebel crew and Liam Neeson is the schizophrenic Good Cop/Bad Cop.
The earworm signature song “Everything is Awesome” was nominated for an Oscar and the film won BAFTAs for best animated feature and best children’s film. Film critics groups across the country gave the film their best animated feature awards.
Rated PG
Also on Blu-ray and DVD and on SVOD through Amazon Video, iTunes, GooglePlay, Vudu and/or other services. Availability may vary by service.
The Lego Movie [Blu-ray]
The Lego Movie [4K UHD + Blu-ray]
The Lego Movie [Blu-ray 3D]
The Lego Movie [DVD]
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On Blu-ray, 4K UHD, Blu-ray 3D and DVD with playful commentary by filmmakers Chris Miller and Phil Lord with actors Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, Charlie Day and Alison Brie, the kid-friendly featurette “Bringing LEGO to Life,” a bunch of shorter featurettes, an “Everything is Awesome” sing-along (parents may want to avoid this one—it’s an earworm waiting to wiggle into your mind), animation tests, deleted scenes and outtakes, and other supplements. The Blu-ray Combo edition features all three editions, plus the exclusive featurette “Dream Job: Meet the LEGO Builders,” a free LEGO minifigure, and a 3D Emmet picture. It’s awesome!
