Dispatches from the Popcorn Stadium: The Lego Movie

It finally happened. After 65 years of being in our homes, garages, various heating units, and expanding even into theme parks and video games, LEGO released a feature film. While many would be ready to dismiss this February release as one star-studded commercial, I decided to give it a chance and see how it fared trailing the coat-tails of the truly spectacular 2013 Oscar nominees.





I'll be honest up front - the draw for me was the star-power. After hearing Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, and Allison Brie (those of you who are familiar with NBC's comedy line-up will recognize these as stars of Parks and Recreation and Community) were involved, the icing on the cake was the talents of Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson, and Will Ferrell. I had seen the trailer for the movie in the theater showing of Frozen and frankly wasn't too impressed with the plot - standard "one (yellow) person destined to save the world by being super special and super awesome" schlock story-telling. By the time the theatrical trailer had finished, however, I was on-board to see the film.

The story revolves around Average-Joe LEGO construction worker Emmett. He lives his life day-to-day, like every other citizen, following the instructions. After falling into an underground tunnel, events are set in motion that leads him on a frantic journey to foil President Business' evil plan to destroy the universe on Taco Tuesday using a mysterious device known only as the Kragle. With the aid of truly imaginative, if not cohesive, band of heroes and master-builders, saving the Universe is the one goal of the "Special". Pratt really shines as the hero, excited about every new adventure and willing , above all else, to put his new friends first. Much like Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec, who would totally be on board with a double-decker couch, Emmett draws inspiration from the people who matter most to him.

This is not the first forray into animation for LEGO. Those with Netflix are familiar with the various direct-to-video releases featuring adventures revolving around franchises and playsets - tie-in marketing designed to sell toys. What sets the the Lego Movie apart from it's flatter and less inspired brethren is the passion behind the voice acting, strong writing, plenty of irreverent and self-aware humor, Batman, and a true subversion and resolution that can't help but make audiences of all ages feel good. Yes, the movie treks very squarely into heavy-handedness, walloping the viewers over the head with the lesson that anyone can be the "Special". For a movie designed for all-ages (although yes, it is just a suggestion), I honestly wouldn't expect a whole lot of subtle messaging, given the third act - which I won't spoil here.

What surprised me the most about the Lego Movie was the fact that it didn't refrain from pulling punches - literally. Some of the action, fighting sequences, and evil-ness gets into some pretty dark territory - the casualty rate climbs high within the first act of the movie. A pig even explodes in the background of an action sequence in the Old West (don't worry - remember, it was a LEGO pig so maybe it put itself back together?). After the general shock, and frankly nervousness as to whether younger children in the theater would get upset, the second thing that surprised me was the scope of the movie. The Lego Movie traverses across universes - we see monorails and construction workers building skyscrapers, cowboys and chieftains and saloons, pirates and castles and everything else we love about LEGO (including a throwaway gag where their named franchises are quickly named on-screen during the heroine's explanation of the universe as they know it).

Clearly the movie is marketed for families. There's no denying that in the least. However, anyone can find enjoyment from watching this film if only because LEGO has had an impact in so many of our lives. As those of us who grew up building and creating our own masterpieces with the iconic colorful bricks have become adults it's important to remember the lasting impact of creativity and imagination. LEGO has even stuck with many adults - the desire to keep those enormous monuments of time, resources, and effort in-tact has grown with us as well, and that we can pass this passion on to the next generation that comes along. It's in our nature as humans to connect, build, destroy, and try again. The Lego Movie reminds us that much like those blocks come together, so to can LEGO bring people together.

Everything is awesome, indeed.