Every kid with a toy box, every parent who’s ever winced from landing a bare foot on a two-by-two red block, every grandparent who’s bought a minifig for a birthday knows that “The Lego Movie” opens Friday. But is it right for everyone? We snap together some of your likely questions. (Warning: Many spoilers ahead.) The prosCritical reviews have been almost universally positive, with Time magazine calling it "the funniest, cleverest, most exhaustingly exhilarating animated feature in ages." There's plenty of pop-culture references to keep the adults amused and the movie's world is nicely representative of your typical kid's Lego collection. Milhouse from "The Simpsons" mingles with Superman, Lady Liberty, "1980 something space guy," a mermaid, a panda and other Lego figs, and other household items such as Krazy Glue and used Band-Aids ("the cloak of Ban-Dai-Ed") play roles. The consEmphasis on "exhaustive." It’s like it was written by a Lego-loving kid hopped up on Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs who was inspired by one of the “Batman” movies — the action is frenetic and hyper.
All kids who play with Legos may want to see it, but it's not right for the younger tykes. And the 3-D is unnecessary. Is it right for kids of all ages?We're going to say no. While it’s rated PG for “mild action and rude humor,” there are a lot of hyperactive battle scenes, car chases and explosions. The Batmobile is shot until it blows up, as is Wonder Woman’s invisible jet (but that’s pretty funny, since … it’s invisible). And there are intense scenes — scary skeleton-faced robots attack, a characters’ parents are threatened, our heroes are strapped into chairs and “tortured” with green light flashes. A kid behind us wailed when a submarine exploded, another couldn't stop asking her parents about a character who was beheaded with a penny. Parents need to evaluate their own child's comfort level. Nine-year-olds will be in happy hyperfrenetic heaven, preschoolers should stick to "Frozen." Do I need to pony up for 3-D?Emmet and some of the other characters are flung into the audience due to various explosions, and red Lego blocks often rain out at the audience.
But the third dimension doesn't suck the audience onscreen into its crazy cartoonish world. If you've got the money and want to get the full "Lego Movie" experience, the 3-D isn't a bad addition. But if your local theater's only showing it in 2-D or you want to save a few bucks, don't let your kids guilt you into feeling bad about it. How are the voices?Chris Pratt's enthusiastic voice as unlikely hero Emmet is in almost every minute of the movie, and he's likable and funny. Kudos also to Morgan Freeman in a perfect Morgan Freeman role as the wizard Vitruvius and Will Arnett as a growly, frattish Batman. You'll have fun recognizing the other voices too, especially Jonah Hill, whose Green Lantern could've used a much bigger role, Elizabeth Banks as a fighter not unlike Trinity from "The Matrix," and Will Ferrell as the nasty villain. Best lines“His face is so generic, it matches every other face in our database.”“We need more ideas so dumb and bad no one will ever think they could possibly be useful.”“
I told the weird cat thing to stall.”“You don’t know me, but I’m on TV, so you can trust me.” WarningThe movie's big song, "Everything is Awesome!" is as cursedly addictive as "It's a Small World."Back to full review Back to full reviewUnlock This Article for a FriendTo unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. Share This Article with a FriendTo share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. In the ArchivesFebruary 2014To continue reading, subscribe now for full print and digital access. The Lego Batman Movie Running Time: 104 minutes Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered Teacher Appreciation Week at the Alamo Drafthouse Austin! Free movies for educators! Beware the eats (and drinks) of March… Dig your claws into juicy kabobs, bub. Go ape for our boozy banana shake. Soothe your savage beast with a refined repast.
Front of House Takes Shape Our front of house is starting to give us an early preview of its final form.Join Club Momme for exclusive access to giveaways, discounts and more! Is 'Muppets Most Wanted' Mom Approved? Is 'The LEGO Movie' Good for Kids of All A... Is 'Frozen' Worth Seeing This Weekend? Is 'Thor' Appropriate for Kids? 'Ender's Game' Worth a Shot? Should You Flock to See 'Free Birds'? Curious George Halloween Special: Boo-Worthy? Is 'Peg + Cat' Worth the T.V. Time? 'Lily' from Modern Family Reviews 'Cloudy ... Is One Direction a One-Note Wonder? 'Plants vs. Zombies 2' Worth the Download? Is Katy Perry's New Single OK for Kids? Is Planes Worth a Trip to the Movies? Is Percy Jackson Too Scary For Kids? Is 'Smurfs 2' OK or Not OK? Kid Tested, Mom Approved Dancing Toddler Steals the Show In the News: Dancing Dads What Your Old Toys Are Worth In the News: Baby Proposal In the News: Dads Are Not Babysitters
Celebrities Who Used to Be Girl Scouts Rosario Dawson Talks Girl Power in 'The LEGO Batman Movie' Movie Review: 'The LEGO Batman Movie' Dick’s Two Dads and a Bromance: The New ‘LEGO Batman Movie’ The new LEGO Batman Movie (2017) combines the universe’s most versatile toy and iconic comic book heroes, rewarding children and their parents with 104 minutes of action-packed, visually gripping, mostly comical tragicomedy—and maybe an awkward conversation with your kid a few years before you want it. True to form, the medium of the animated LEGO proves its power to melt some of the Batman brand’s most intense moments into buttery popcorn parodies fit for a king or, more importantly, a kid. This is impressive, considering the new depths of darkness and violence occupying the most recent three human Batman films. These include The Dark Knight (2008), in which the Joker (Heath Ledger) “disappears” a pencil by driving it through the eye socket and into the brain of an unsuspecting henchman.
(Ledger died of an overdose of prescribed narcotics before the film hit theaters.)For parents who recognize it is futile trying to isolate kids from Hollywood’s latest top-grossing grown-up flicks, kid-friendly LEGO adaptations are a relief. Observe: “Dad, can I see Batman?” Mom’s not even allowed to see Batman.” “I mean LEGO Batman.” “I love that you love LEGOs. You’re gonna build something to change the world someday. LEGO builds Gotham City well: Bruce Wayne/Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, Robin, and the deranged underworld lords terrorizing the unsuspecting population—all sanitized and humorized to delight and inspire children. And don’t forget the orphan adoption by two dads, homoerotic attraction, and penis jokes!Let’s unpack that last part for the bigots and prudes, while giving credit where credit is due. LEGO Batman could do a lot worse as a kids’ movie. 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. 5 Lousy Movies That Killed Their Franchises For example, two men adopting a son together sounds like a dream come true to Richard, the orphan Bruce Wayne adopts without telling him he’s Batman. That’s why, when Richard hesitates to board a bat vehicle without Bruce-Dad’s permission, Batman tells him he and Bruce-Dad share custody of him. Richard doesn’t need Bruce-Dad’s permission; This solution thrills Richard, who unblinkingly climbs aboard (and later becomes Robin). The bubbly young man is tickled as he spells it out for viewers: Yesterday he didn’t have a dad, and now he has two dads! Viewers may laugh, because they know it’s a farce: Bruce-Dad and Bat-Dad are one.