“The LEGO Batman Movie:” a hilarious return to the LEGO world

By IAN LACK Reporter

Editor’s Note: The grading system used here is similar to the 10-point scale used in SDSU courses.

GRADE: A-

When the first LEGO film debuted in theaters in 2014, it was an unexpected gust of wind for family film animation. Boasting laugh-a-minute gags and a surprisingly thoughtful story, “The LEGO Movie” was one of the best and most inventive films of that year.

The latest LEGO movie is no different.

Following the events of the first LEGO film, “The LEGO Batman Movie” follows a LEGO version of everyone’s favorite superhero and savvy businessman, Bruce Wayne, voiced by the hilarious, deep-voiced Will Arnett.

While Batman is stopping his nemesis, The Joker (Zach Galifianakis), from destroying Gotham City, the caped crusader tells Joker he is not as important in Batman’s life as Joker likes to think he is.

Hurt and out for revenge, The Joker devises a plot to destroy the city and get the ultimate revenge on Batman by using an unstoppable new technology and uniting Batman’s greatest foes against him.

To combat this evil, Batman must recruit the help of his most loyal allies. Among them is Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), who discovers Bruce Wayne’s son, Dick Grayson aka “Robin.”

 The plot of this film is not the most noticeable aspect of it. To be fair, the plot of most children’s films are not the main point of interest.

From the introduction, it’s well established that this film offers quip after quip, joke after joke. The first thirty minutes of this hour-and-a-half flick are paced quickly, offering as much humor as can be included, which can be a bit disorienting.

However, one of the film’s best features is its wonderful cast of characters.

The film is chock-full of wonderful villains, side characters, cameos and extras that create a delightful meal for fans of the comic book world the protagonist hails from.

Like the film before it and even Marvel’s “Deadpool” from last year, “The LEGO Batman Movie” uses a lot of meta comedy, or self-referential humor that the audience understands from other creative media sources.

What’s amazing about this flick is the fact that it actively takes shots at the current version of Batman, played by a grim Ben Affleck, and the DC Cinematic Universe. “The LEGO Batman Movie” has the bravery to roast itself, which I find incredibly impressive for a movie marketed at kids.

Another surprising thing about this film is with its ending; it strikes an extremely heartfelt message about individual self-worth creating unity. That’s something I think we can all appreciate right now as a nation with the rifts that have emerged since the November election.

In all, “The LEGO Batman Movie” is a worthy sequel that does an excellent job of providing new, biting and fun material while staying true to what we adored about the original film.

 

Ian Lack is a visual editor at The Collegian and can be reached at [email protected].