Warner Bros. Pictures
The LEGO world is finally back with the newest film, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. Five years ago, we learned that everything is awesome, but now it’s not as awesome as it seems. At the end of The LEGO Movie, LEGO blocks from Planet Duplo were set to take over Emmet’s world, and the long-awaited sequel follows up that storyline. Emmet and his friends live in a now desolate Bricksburg where they face a dangerous new threat when LEGO Duplo invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. It is up to Emmet, Lucy, Batman and others to save the universe from destruction.
I was fond of the first LEGO movie and I have been anticipating a new film surrounding the characters from the first film. The two previous spin-offs including The LEGO Batman Movie and The LEGO Ninjago Movie both were entertaining films, but I wanted to venture back into the world created in the first film.
My favorite things about the LEGO movies are the pop culture references and how fun it can be. The previous three LEGO movies all have poked fun at actors, movies, pop culture, and even events. This is a kind of movie where you will have to watch it multiple times in order to catch all the jokes in the film. Luckily for me, there was only one other person in the movie theater when I saw it late Thursday night, so I wasn’t distracted from children screaming or people laughing non-stop. There were so many times that I laughed at the references in the first film. There are plenty more this time around and they range from Bruce Willis to Green Lantern not being part of the Justice League movie. The LEGO movies provide fun for both kids and parents, which is always a plus.
Warner Animation Group has created six films, with one being released last September, Smallfoot. Most of their films center around LEGOs and that is where they most succeed. The animation is creative and transports you back to your childhood as you watch it. I used to build many Harry Potter LEGO sets and seeing a movie where the characters build things such as vehicles takes me back to a time when I loved playing with LEGOs.
Emmet’s storyline was one I was rooting for once again. In the first film, I wanted to see him prove to everyone that he was the special one and bring everyone together to stop President Business. His storyline this time around has more depth to it and feels more personal. He wants Lucy to like him, but she thinks that he isn’t tough enough, which sets the film in motion and leads him on a personal journey of saving his friends and becoming tough along the way.
Chris Pratt lends his voice for two of the characters this time around. He returns as the lovable Emmet, but also provides his voice for a new character, Rex Dangervest, who bears a resemblance to the characters Pratt plays in Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy. Rex has a taste for destruction and helps Emmet try to become tougher so he can save his friends and impress Lucy. Even though these two characters are voiced by the same person, Pratt does a fine job providing distinct characteristics for both LEGO figures.
Many side characters from the first film don’t get as many memorable moments in the second film, which I found to be disappointing. Characters voiced by Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, and Alison Brie have limited screen time to where they don’t feel as important. They are captured by a creature from Planet Duplo, so they spend most of their time in the background as Emmet travels through space to save them. I thought all the characters from the first film had a special moment to shine, but that was taken away here in the sequel.
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part was everything I wanted in a sequel. The animation was flawless with plenty of jokes for both kids and adults to enjoy. It is a great time to be alive where we get LEGO movies that succeed both critically and financially. They are both creative and hilarious and I couldn’t ask for more! Now let’s get some LEGO movies centered around other properties such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Marvel.
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part has a run time of 1 hour 46 minutes and is rated PG for mild action and rude humor.
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