Image: Roadshow
Back in 2014, The Lego Movie exploded onto the screen with its illuminating colour, meticulous stop-motion choreography and a soundtrack that was as big as the movie itself. It was a new kind of toy story, one where child’s play inhabited a universe of imagination and where master builders were the ultimate problem solvers. The big reveal saw that this seemingly infinite world was not as limitless as it seemed, and that real life (or the live action realm of humans) was within arm’s reach.
That being said, there were enough foundations and building blocks in the plot to generate a 2017 spin-off for the broody Batman in his own movie, as well as a ninja warrior tale for The Lego Ninjago Movie (2018). Picking up, or crushing down rather, from the destruction that the new Duplo invaders have caused, Emmett (Chris Pratt) finds himself with a new challenge as the aliens threaten to destroy the stability of his perfectly constructed world. A new competitor in the market, they drive the once bustling Bricksburg to the apocalypse, in the aptly named Apocalypseburg. With delightfully hilarious scenes that parallel Mad Max and Mortal Engines, the wasteland forces Emmett to once again prove his worth to the team. As his love Lucy (Elizabeth Banks in her grungy best) doubts that he has the finesse to take on their new foe, insisting that he must shed his naive, optimistic persona if he is to ever grow up. Regretfully, she’s soon captured by Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (Tiffany Haddish), with an ostensibly menacing plan to rule the Systar universe via a quick betrothal to Batman. As he and the other captive crew members Benny, Unikitty and Metalbeard face being brainwashed in their pastel, poppy new world, Lucy struggles to avoid being compromised herself.
Partnering with a mysterious new mentor Rick Dangervest, Emmett hilariously crosses jungles reminiscent of Predator and has a hilarious makeover as he sets out to be the fierce hero he thinks he has to be to save his friends. Almost exploiting the jaded backstory trope, Rick mirrors the dangerous part of Emmett, but his positive influence is just as questionable as his origin story. Each cutaway joke and casual reminder of his capabilities resembles a toy ad during a Saturday morning cartoon session. With so many new faces to remember, he is definitely a collectable item.
There’s a more mature tone in the second piece and the realisation that “everythings not awesome all of the time”, is potentially jarring, but in a world that celebrates innovation and creativity, there’s no problem that cannot be solved, and no brick that cannot be laid.
Verdict: 7.5/10
Roadshow
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