Pastrami Movie Review: The Lego Movie

Review by Nolan P. Smith

(Victorville)—This time of the year is usually pretty slow in regards to films being released on the big screen. This three-month window, from January to March, is usually a bit sluggish, with no real blockbusters gracing the screen. Well, The Lego Movie has gone against that notion, and shows why it is truly a blockbuster.

Warner Bros. has released a movie based on one of the greatest toys for creative minds: Legos. The building block system has been a staple in households for decades, and it is now in the spotlight of its own, feature film release. Will a movie based on Legos land with the audience? If you have ever played with Legos, then that’s a silly question.

The film follows Emmet (Chris Pratt), a normal, regular construction guy Lego who is happy with his mundane, formularized lifestyle. That all changes when he meets Wyld Style (Elizabeth Banks), and learns of secrets of the world, including the evil plans of Lord Business (Will Ferrell), all while trying to stay in one piece. With acting heavyweights like Morgan Freeman and Liam Neeson lending their voices as well, this is a mighty impressive cast for Legos’ first outing into films.

The film is pure enjoyment, with an eye clearly at the younger crowd. But if you remember playing with Legos, then the nostalgia found here will hook you for the whole film. The animation is made to look like Lego stop-motion animation, giving it a very unique feel, one that is uniquely Lego. This is a fantastic movie for the whole family, and is one of the best releases of the year so far. I give The Lego Movie a 9 out of 10.