What new things can we expect to see from our favorite minifig millionaire playboy? We’re a little less than one month out from the North American release of “The LEGO Batman Movie”, the first of this year’s two (!) sequels to 2014’s “The LEGO Movie”. In the time since our last post about it, there have been a number of trailers for the film, as well as a few TV spots with additional footage. The first teaser sees Batman introducing us to his Batcave, general solitude, and the overall concept of the film. It also features an opening prologue, which suggests (albeit jokingly) that the film was written and directed by Batman himself. I would love it if that conceit carried over to the actual film. The second teaser followed only a few days later, and gave some insight into LEGO Batman’s parentage (spoiler alert: Batman’s parents are dead) as well as how this film fits into the overall Bat-continuity. The Wayne Manor fireplace room is a gorgeous design, and the animation of Batman flopping around the floor like some sort of fish is very entertaining and well-posed.
The Comic Con trailer was the first to feature Michael Cera’s Dick Grayson/Robin, as well as more looks at the Batcave and Batman’s expansive costume collection. The succinctly-titled “Trailer #4” serves as an amalgam of the previous previews, while also showcasing more of the plot and characters—including Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon, and Zack Galifianakis as The Joker. Finally, the Extended TV Spot confirms something that I was curious about—this film will take place in “Gotham City” (or a reasonable brick-built facsimile) and not Bricksburg (home of Emmet from the original LEGO Movie). We also get more of the Dark Knight’s rogues gallery, including The Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin, Gentleman Ghost (real), Calendar Man (very real), and the Condiment King (really really real). Of course, my favorite villain (seen here in a quick glimpse) will most likely prove to be Killer Croc, if only for the retro LEGO crocodile head he sports in this film. What are you most looking forward to in The LEGO Batman Movie?
Did we miss any of the trailers? 4½ Reasons To Watch the Lego Movie Even Though You Aren’t a Baby I saw the Lego Movie with my sister and some wine and it was a great decision. I spent the first few minutes hypnotized by Lego fire and giggling at the rapid stream of jabs and jokes (don’t stress out about catching each one). If you’re not used to the weird world of kids movies, imagine that trying to process and appreciate each joke is like watching the I Love Lucy scene where she ends up stuffing chocolates into her bra. Like Jack Halberstam writes in The Queer Art of Failure, kids’ movies can be amazing introductions to queer, negativity, and artful failure, because kids tend to care more about friends sticking up for each other than individual success, kids agree that everyone should be able dress however they want and play whatever character they want, they more readily admit when their feelings are hurt, and they use failure to laugh at success, like anti-matter eating away at matter.
The Lego Movie could belong to the same world. The intro to our hero is a quick-witted and pointed critique of conformity and consumer culture: President Business is being shady as hell, but dumb-ass TV keeps our protagonist too entertained to care, everyone consumes the same pop-culture, everyone thinks everything is awesome1, no one thinks for themselves, and in less than five minutes, kiddos everywhere know that Legolandia is no good at all. If you’re a self-reflexive sap this might give you a mini-panic, thinking: “I’m in Legolandia. I’m watching a silly movie that’s making a critique of the contemporary political-economy and I’m just giggling but not doing anything! Am I a Lego fool? The Lego Movie might not belong to Halberstam’s “Pixarvolts”, but it’s still worth watching. Here are 4½ reasons you should watch it even if you think you’re a grownup: 1. There are a jillion jokes that the babies probably won’t get, and cameos and pop culture references that are at least ten years old.
Also, it doesn’t try to make the Lego universe “make sense” — the chicken leg is half the construction worker’s body, the sound of cats meowing sounds like people saying “meow”, and so on. 2. The film is totally a lil bit anti-capitalist. The film’s villain is named Mr. Business, and the main characters collaborate and think creatively to allow all Legolandians to live inter-universe lives where pirate robots, and kitty princess batmobiles, and old west disco queens can live in harmony. I don’t recall the protagonists discussing how to turn a bigger profit. (On the other hand the whole damn movie is a commercial, so there’s that). Either way, you sorta need to understand some political economy to appreciate the film. 3. There’s a big plot twist that is interesting from, like, a film studies perspective and you don’t want to risk not being in the loop on all the inevitable “film theory and Lego reality” conversations. Save yourself the stress, see the film, and stay in the know.
(Spoiler alert: the big twist is that the Lego world is totally constructed and there’s a meta level that involves a storyline with real people: a father and a son. The father is the evil “President Business” Lego character and the Lego storyline is the son’s way of acting out.) 4. The film takes aim at the number one question for babies in the 21st century. Does being special matter? ½. Lego water and fire are flippin awesome. Just take a moment to appreciate them while trying to keep up with the jillion jokes.About this itemImportant Made in USA Origin Disclaimer:In a scenario drawn from the film, The Lego Movie Videogame puts Lego kids into the role of Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average Lego minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. Players guide him as he is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.
Players will be able to collect and use Lego instruction pages to build construction sets or harness the awesome power of the Master Builders to virtually build extraordinary Lego creations along the way. With more than 90 characters inspired by the film and 15 exciting levels, kids can build and adventure like never before.With more than 90 characters inspired by the film and 15 exciting levels, kids can build and adventure like never before. Environment made of Lego bricks. New animation style extends the film experience. Lego Builder Instruction puzzles unlock game progression. Includes feature film footage and actors' voice-overs. 90 playable characters with 15 exciting levels. ESRB Rating: EVERYONE 10+ with Comic Mischief and Cartoon Violence SpecificationsVideo Game CollectionIs Downloadable Content AvailableYGenreModelBrandRequired PeripheralsVideo Game GenreVideo Game PlatformConditionManufacturer Part NumberSubgenreContainer TypePublisherAssembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H)Videosis lego movie videogame coming out in Xbox 360by It looks like you are not signed in.