Edited

In some alternate universe where this postmodern filmic collage was released about ten years ago, it’s my favorite film. Now, in 2014, it’s pretty great anyway.

I was supremely hesitant about The Lego Movie before seeing it. Not only is it pure corporate branding, but the trailers were sort-of awful. Of course, it’s hard for me to ignore a 95%+ on Rottentomatoes for any film, so fate intervened and held I was to see the movie.

The film, as it is, starts off well enough, cleverly poking fun at society through its Lego-microcosm by having its lead character, an everyman, take genuine joy in a life he has self-policed to fit with the produced, constructed life social elites want him to have. The initial jokes are pretty obvious, but I’ll run with it, especially when it introduces a character as brilliantly named as President Business in its first minute of existence. I also really liked the directorial duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s first animated film, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, so I’m willing to give them a chance. Continue reading →