Sign in or Become a MemberGet access to amazing benefits like free refills on large popcorn & up to $5 off ticketsJoin for free now, or upgrade and get even more great perks.Sign InJoin NowPopular linksFind a TheatreFind a MovieAMC StubsFood & DrinksOffers & PromotionsAs perpetually stressed out college students, we have to remember to occasionally take a break from the stress of life and get back in touch with our childhood roots. Some of us will remember our glorious childhood days spent building creations with Legos. Others may have spent their youth obsessing over superheroes, like Batman. Luckily for these two groups, there now exists the perfect way for Lego fans and or Batman fans to relieve stress; making a trip to the movie theater to see “The Lego Batman Movie.”Not too long ago, making an entire Lego movie franchise seemed like a joke. That was before “The Lego Movie” became one of the best-reviewed films of 2014, spawning a future sequel and several spinoff films, such as this one.
RELATED: Review: "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" is a superhero flick in need of saving Will Arnett stars as the voice of Batman, reprising his role from “The Lego Movie.” His overly dark, overly serious tone of voice matches the role perfectly, allowing him to gently poke fun at the character while still seeming genuine.“Lego Batman” provides almost constant laughs and action throughout its entire run time. It also boasts a fairly thoughtful and emotional story to go along with it, trying to explore the emotional side of Batman that other Batman movies throughout the years have failed to touch upon.via GIPHY Virtually every character from the Batman mythology shows up here in Lego form, which will please many fans. Zach Galifianakis plays The Joker, Batman’s nemesis, and Michael Cera plays Dick Grayson/Robin, an orphan that Batman/Bruce Wayne accidentally adopts and who eventually becomes his sidekick. Galifianakis may not make as amazing of a Joker as Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight,” but Galifianakis is still more entertaining to watch than whatever Jared Leto was doing in last year’s horrible “Suicide Squad.”
The movie also does a great job of poking fun at classic parts of the Batman universe, such as why on earth Robin’s shorts are so short. RELATED: The History of SuperheroesA lot of other DC superheroes show up as well, including Superman (Channing Tatum). The movie interjects some great jokes making fun of the disastrous 2016 film “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Maybe that movie should have been made with Legos as well.“The Lego Batman Movie” is a constant animated treat for the eyes that never takes itself seriously, boasting state of the art animated mayhem that becomes hard to turn away from, unless you simply cannot stop laughing. The laughs slow down a little bit in the second half of the movie when the tone gets slightly more emotional, but viewers will still have reason to laugh throughout, in what has now become Lego movie fashion.The movie ultimately succeeds in doing what a movie like this should do. It makes fun of the character of Batman, but not in a cynical way.
It still feels like the filmmakers ultimately want to honor the character, and there is a sense that they are honored just to have made a Batman movie. This is certainly unlike any other Batman movie in existence, and while it may not have the dark intensity and strong performances from other Batman movies like “The Dark Knight,” it still finds a way to deliver on its own merits.This movie makes several references to how great Batman's abs are and viewers are sure to get an ab workout from this movie with all the laughs.Grade: A-Follow Alec Kuehnle on Twitter.The rise of inexpensive large-screen TVs and ability to “binge watch” movies and shows from online streaming services means more people decide to stay home for entertainment. After all, it takes effort to drag yourself to a movie theater where you endure high snack prices, chatty theater-goers, endlessly crying children, glare from smartphone screens and that one guy who spits soda on you when he laughs – yes, that’s a personal experience.
If you stay home, you can pause the movie, invite only people you like, eat your own snacks, and talk or use your smartphone without other people glaring at you. That being said, there are some movies that deserve to be seen on the big screen. Plus, during the Phoenix summer, the movie theater is known for especially icy air-conditioning. Even better, to lure people back to the theater, some venues – like the six we’re about to list, plus two honorable mentions –- step up their game and turn an evening at the movies into an event. The FatCats Recline-N-Dine Theater in Gilbert doesn’t have many screens, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on movie times and availability. However, it does offer massive electrically operated, leather reclining seats. They are super comfortable, although if you view with little ones – or a fidgety friend – you might get annoyed with them constantly pressing the buttons and adjusting the seating position. As for the “dine” portion of “Recline-N-Dine,” you can order pizza, salad and paninis from Pizini, as well as snack-type dishes that get delivered to your seat during the movie.
The prices are very reasonable at $6 to $9, and the kid meal options are only $4. Even better, the cost of a movie ticket lines up well with a regular theater, and on Tuesdays all movies are $5. For any show, we recommend you reserve seats in advance. Once you’re done with the movie, FatCats also offers bowling, glow golf, video games and other family-friendly entertainment. The AMC Dine-in Theatres Esplanade 14 on Camelback presents a similar movie-going dining experience to FatCats only on a bigger level. In addition to reclining leather seats, you get tray tables that allow for full meals. The meals can range from burgers to sushi and salads to milkshakes made right in the AMC Red Kitchen. All are delivered to your seat. The food runs a tad pricey – snack food and kid options start at $8 – but not too outrageous. AMC also includes a full cocktail bar for a more adult movie-going experience. In fact, while its Fork & Screen theaters are for the whole family, it’s Cinema Suites option only allows viewers who are 21+.
The theater also includes MacGuffins Bar & Lounge where you can order beer, wine and cocktails that you can self-carry to your seat. MacGuffins also appears in other select AMC locations around the Valley. Make sure you reserve seats ahead of time so you get a spot. Learn more about AMC Dine-in Theatres >> Located in Scottsdale, Studio Movie Grill screens the latest movies and provides a huge menu of food and 60 premium spirits. Food prices are in line with a traditional restaurant, and the kids’ menu doesn’t break $6. Alas, the seats don’t recline like some of the other premium theaters, but they are large and comfortable. Ticket prices aren’t much more than a regular movie theater. In addition to the food and movie, SMG features a lounge you can patronize after the movie to extend the evening, as long as you don’t have kids in tow. Speaking of kids, SMG does offer a Children’s Summer Series of kid-friendly movies that aren’t in the theaters anymore, such as “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda 2” and others.
It also features other specialty film series-screening events such as “Date Night,” “Toons,” “Girls’ Night Out,” “Family Review” and “Special Needs Screening” that play older movies. For the Special Needs Screening, the lights stay up and volume stays down so children can talk and move around. In addition, SMG boasts a novel concept called Crowd-Sourcing screenings. These give audiences the chance to see lesser-known works like film festival pictures and anime movies. Like other crowd-sourcing models, if enough people buy tickets then the screening happens. Otherwise, you aren’t charged for the ticket. We recommend reserving tickets early, although you can buy them easily enough onsite. However, the theater recommends showing up 20 minutes early either way. Learn more about Studio Movie Grill >> As the name suggests, FilmBar combines a movie theater with a beer and wine bar. Plus you can order snack-type food and fresh tamales. It doesn’t have the fanciest seats or most extensive menu, but this 76-seat theater in downtown Phoenix stands apart by playing mostly independent and cult films.
In addition, it also shows concerts, Mexican wrestling and older films like “Dr. Strangelove.” So, if you’re tired of the blockbusters and mainstream films, this could be the theater for you. Note that FilmBar only allows ages 21 and older to attend. Learn more about FilmBar >> Sure you’d get dressed up for a fancy night out at the symphony or ballet, but the movie theater tends to be a casual affair, especially during summer when shorts are almost required for going outside. However, if you are craving a fancier evening out now that the Symphony season wrapped up, iPic Theaters in Scottsdale deserves a look. The theaters are small and comfortably exclusive with two tiers of “plush” –as iPic describes them – leather seats. Note that the Premium seats don’t recline or allow for food delivery. The Premium Plus section not only features reclining seats and food delivery, but you get a blanket and pillow, as well. You have a choice of in-movie dining with iPic Express featuring food from Chef Sherry Yard, or you can eat a meal at the Italian-inspired Tanzy.
Plus, iPic houses a bar and lounge for your in-movie cocktail enjoyment. The decor for the entire facility screams fancy and up-scale. As you might imagine, prices are on the high side with Premium Seats going for $17 and the Premium Plus a whopping $27. Also, if you are over about 5-foot-seven, your feet may bump the wall in front of you in full recline. Seems they could have added a few inches at these prices. Learn more about this venue >> OK, this option doesn’t have air conditioning, but you’ll still get cool. Wet ‘n’ Wild water park in Phoenix hosts Dive ‘n’ Movies every Thursday and Friday of June and July starting around 8 p.m. You get to float outdoors in the Monsoon Bay Wave Pool and watch a family-friendly movie – a different one each week. Whether you want to cap off a full day at the park or just show up for the movie, it’s your decision. Just note that the experience will Dive ‘n’ to your bank account: Even Twilight tickets, which only get you access to the park after 4 p.m., are $22.99 each (plus tax, naturally).