'Lego Batman Movie' doesn't quite hold togetherChat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.JUST WATCHEDReplayMore Videos ...If you would like to appear to be from a different country - e.g. to change the displayed currencies - select a country from below.Tune in live Thursday from 9pm est WATCH: Full trailer and new poster arrive for The LEGO Ninjago Movie As promised yesterday, the trailer (and poster) have arrived for the third LEGO movie, The LEGO Ninjago Movie. While LEGO is a massive property, as is Batman, we’d be surprised if this proved as big a hit as the first movie was and the second (Batman, opening this weekend) is expected to be. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think… Directed by Charlie Bean, The Lego Ninjago Movie is scheduled to hit theaters on September 21. The brand new #LEGONINJAGOMovie trailer has arrived. — LEGO NINJAGO Movie (@NINJAGOmovie) February 8, 2017
Let us know your thoughts below, @NerdFollowing on Twitter or on Facebook Proudly Powered By WordPressThe LEGO Batman Movie under fire for being 'pro-gay propaganda' Because Bruce Wayne and Batman aren't the same person? Thursday 23 February 2017 12:15 GMT When The LEGO Movie hit cinemas in 2014, some people were very displeased by the ‘anti-business’ rhetoric being projected onto their kids. The film’s villain is, of course, President Business (a character who bears a striking resemblance to another current President). Now, those same critics are calling out The LEGO Batman film for apparently being ‘pro-gay propaganda’. Those of you who have seen the film are probably thinking ‘Wait a minute, did I miss something? There are no obviously gay characters, are there?’ Well, as brought to light by The Mary Sue, there are some people out there (read: conspiracy theorists) who believe the filmmakers were attempting to subliminally brain wash us.
Founder of website Voice of the Family, John-Henry Westen, said of the film: “It was chock full of pro-gay propaganda. Think the sexual innuendo of the Flintstones minus the real humour. “It seemed the creators were so anxious to subtly indoctrinate the little ones into the gender ideology that making it humorous came as a distant second thought.” First look at the LEGO Batman movie Western cites a review written by Michael Hamilton throughout, one that focusses on the adoption of Dick Grayson (Robin) by Batman and Bruce Wayne. Yep, Batman and Bruce Wayne are the same person, as admitted in the review, but there’s an ongoing joke in the film about Robin not realising this and thinking he has two Dads. The fact Robin is so OK with having two Dads adopt him, plus the hilarious relationship between the Joker and Batman has ignited fury in Hamilton. He writes: “The writers could have clumsily stacked topics such as gender identity, gender roles, and gender neutrality all over the story board like so many LEGOs.
Instead, these topics hide in plain sight, because they are the foundation. “Few parents and fewer kids will question any of it, because there’s a way to interpret all of it as technically innocent. That’s what makes these messages subliminal (and potentially powerful). LEGO Batman makes them seem plain as vanilla and American as apple pie.” There are, at no times in the film, romantic relations between the Joker and Batman. Nor does the ongoing “two Dads” joke ever reference a gay relationship. “[The] subliminal nature of LEGO Batman’s questionable themes is a mixed blessing,” Hamilton continues. “They’re subtle enough most people won’t notice. But failing to notice grants them normalcy, as though you’d be crazy or cruel to suggest anything was amiss here.” If we really are going to read into The LEGO Batman Movie, perhaps we should celebrate how Robin having two fathers is normal. Neither the character nor the majority of the audience question the idea of two men adopting a child together.
(It also seems ironic that pro-family advocates are complaining about a film that focusses on the importance of family.) Meanwhile, you can read our review of the genuinely hilarious film here.At its sporadic best, the crazy velocity and wisenheimer appeal of "The Lego Batman Movie" reminds you of what made "The Lego Movie" such a nice surprise three years ago. It was my favorite comedy of 2014, even without that insidiously satiric theme song "Everything is Awesome!"Director Chris McKay's spinoff, however, is more about expectations fulfilled than new surprises, nicely sprung. Basically a conventional superhero action movie with a constant stream of sideline heckling, "The Lego Batman Movie" goes where various franchises housed at various studios have gone before. Just as Iron Man (the target of a running gag here) fell into a narcissistic pool of self-interest and celebrity indulgence in his second movie, the lil' plastic Batman taking center stage is a raging egomaniac, all abs and no heart.
He has buried the pain of his parents' murder with a mountain of cool toys and weapons. Amusingly Bruce Wayne/Batman, voiced as he was in a choice supporting role in "The Lego Movie" by Will Arnett, isn't exactly the master of his cavernous domain; he proves somewhat clueless when it comes to working a DVR remote or programming a microwave oven. Only his faithful butler, Alfred, given just the right empathetic tones by Ralph Fiennes, knows what Bruce needs: a surrogate family, so he's not stuck on the couch watching "Jerry Maguire" another lonely night.MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR Toward this end, Bruce casually adopts an orphan, Dick Grayson (Michael Cera, delightfully naive) and ventures outside his loner-vigilante sphere to join forces with Gotham City police Commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson, better than her limited material). Batman's chief nemesis remains, inevitably, the needy, whiny, malevolent Joker (Zach Galifianakis). But as Batman says, "I like to fight around," and the screenplay credited to five writers arranges for one onslaught after another."
The Lego Movie" benefited from its sweet-natured protagonist, Emmet, surrounded by a shrewdly judged degree of mayhem. "The Lego Batman Movie" offers more mayhem and less funny. It takes a cheerfully cynical buckshot approach to pop culture spoofing on the run, roping in Superman (Channing Tatum, voice), Harley Quinn (Jenny Slate), references to Batman's past (all the way back to the 1966 Adam West/Burt Ward feature, based on the TV series). Dozens of celeb voice cameos spice the action, from Conan O'Brien as The Riddler to Mariah Carey as the Gotham mayor. The value of teamwork; the importance of feelings; the peculiar, mesmerizing charm of Lego flames and fireballs, digitally animated: These are among the lessons imparted by "The Lego Batman Movie." I enjoyed it well enough.Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic. "The Lego Batman Movie" — 2.5 starsMPAA rating: PG (for rude humor and some action)'John Wick: Chapter 2' review: Keanu Reeves is back as the superassassin and dog lover'I Am Not Your Negro' review: Baldwin's unfinished book project subject of powerful documentary'Hunter Gatherer' review: 'The Wire's' Andre Royo plays an ex-con who aims to get his life back on track'The Comedian' review