Sign In or Join to save for later Genre: Family and Kids Running Time: 100 minutes What parents need to know Parents Need to Know LEGO Batman: The Movie -- DC Superheroes Unite LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu Top advice and articles What parents and kids say Snap to it, or block it? A parents' guide to 'The Lego Movie' 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 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.
Mariah Carey Brings Dem Babies to The Lego Batman Movie Premiere, Plus: More Adorable Celeb Kid Sightings Hollywood's tiniest celebrities were in for quite a treat on Saturday afternoon!Mariah Carey attended the Los Angeles premiere of The Lego Batman Movie, bringing her two kids, 5-year-old twins Moroccan Cannon and Monroe Cannon, along for the family-friendly adventure.Dem Babies, as their pop star mama proudly calls them, dressed to the nines for the event, Monroe in a floral dress and Moroccan rocking a sweet black and white suit. Mariah walked the red carpet with her littles ones, looking flashy as usual in a sequined bomber jacket and oversized sunnies. Carey lent her voice to the animated flick, which also stars Will Arnett, Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera and Zach Galifianakis. Cutest Celeb Kids on Instagram Also in attendance was Amber Rose, who brought her 3-year-old son Sebastian Thomaz, and Jordana Brewster, who posed for photos with her little man, Julian Form-Brewster.
Both toddlers channeled their inner Batman by wearing his famous mask as they walked the red carpet with their proud moms. Sebastian, who amber co-parents with ex Wiz Khalifa nailed his premiere look in a flannel button up and leather jacket. Julian kept it casual in light denim jeans and a grey T-shirt. Per Amber's Instagram, Sebastian enjoyed snacking on a bag of potato chips before heading into the theater while Julian flashed a big thumbs up for photographers. The Lego Batman Movie hits theaters Feb. 10. Contribute to This PageLet friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Best part of being 'Lego Batman'? Will Arnett's sons can see itCLOSExEmbedAs Lego Batman, Will Arnett doesn’t wear a cowl like Christian Bale or toss a Batarang a la Ben Affleck. And there’s really no reason to pour himself into a skintight suit when working with the guy playing the Joker.Still, Arnett takes the animated superhero he voices seriously, unleashing equal helpings of machismo and vulnerability in The Lego Batman Movie (in theaters Friday), which turns the Bat-signal spotlight on the supporting hero from 2014’s The Lego Movie.
The actor doesn’t see his blockheaded, self-obsessed Gotham City vigilante as different from any other role.“I’ve always approached him from an emotional standpoint of like, ‘What’s he going through at this particular time? Even when he’s just fighting criminals, what’s his motivation?’ That sounds like actor-speak but I actually mean it in a very human way,” says Arnett, 46.Sneak peek: 'Lego Batman Movie' reveals Joker, Robin“This story is just as important to Lego Batman as some character in some dramatic live-action film. He doesn’t know he’s in an animated film.”With the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) and other baddies threatening his hometown, Batman has to stop adoring his masculinity long enough to figure out he needs the help of his sidekick Robin (Michael Cera), faithful butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) and new cop pal Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson).“Will takes him on a journey of self-exploration,” producer Dan Lin says. “Batman basically has a midlife crisis in this movie and has to find out who he’s really about.”
What makes Arnett’s Batman special is the actor’s “unbelievable” ability to create lovable jerks, says Lego Batman director Chris McKay. “There’s 1% of 1% of 1% of people who can be that guy where he’s saying the things we shouldn’t say or do but we still love him.”Review: 'Lego Batman' offers a joyous take on the iconic Dark KnightArnett found some deep-seated issues with his cartoon do-gooder. For one, Batman almost never takes off his cowl: “That’s his protection mechanism, literally and figuratively.” And after a day of fighting crime, Batman comes home alone and talks to a picture of his parents, murdered when he was a child, about how he saved the world. “That’s why he does what he does, and there’s something really sad about that,” Arnett says.The actor relished being able to be physical while recording scenes with Galifianakis, facing off with each other like a real Batman vs. Joker battle rather than just being static in a studio. The only time Arnett was hampered was last August after knee surgery.