The Lego Batman Movie
Chris McKay (2017)I cannot predict how many people will watch
The Lego Batman Movie but I will predict that its appeal will be universal for those who do watch it. It is a movie that has something for everyone:
- Superhero fans,
- Lego enthusiast,
- People who like animated movies,
- People who enjoy laughing,
- Bodybuilders and other shredded abs aficionados,
- Orphans,
- Anyone who hates Superman,
- Romantics,
- Those who like absurd comedies,
- Emos, goths and other darkness-committed fashion minorities,
- Nerds,
- Videogame players who have had girlfriends who would say « pew pew » when playing FPSs,
- People not called Christopher Nolan,
- Those who still remember the sixties,
- Family-story types,
- Feminists,
- The Lego Group shareholders.
I haven't tried but I am convinced there is no way to explain the movie to anyone who hasn't watched the original The Lego Movie without sounding insane.
«
It's a Batman movie, except in a Lego World. So he can build his Batvehicles anywhere, because he is a master builder. And he is a total douche in this universe and adopts Robin by mistake. And the joker is in like hate-love with him and they totally have a romantic arc. And Batman records his own music and likes metal a lot. Joker tries to get him to tell him he hates him by destroying Gotham after being sent to the phantom zone. Oh, I almost forgot, there are references to previous Batman movies, but don't worry about the continuity, because there isn't one. Batman saves the day with the help of his other Batman'ed up supervillains and his shredded abs. And Voldemort is in this movie. »
It makes no sense, it is preposterous and silly and dumb, and I love it. It is surprising how many parts of it work. It is a genuine entry in the Batman canon - well, sort of.
It is however not as good as
The Lego Movie. It might be funnier, with a higher concentration of jokes, but the writing is overall not quite as good. I cannot recall the animation of that previous movie well enough to compare them, but it seems to me it was better, and the sets more inspired. It is the McKay's first feature film and you can sense the directing is not as good as it was under Lord and Miller. What's more surprising is how less used the Lego side of it all is used, with Lego building, being reserved here almost solely to Batman and only for constructing vehicles. Finally, whereas
TLM expanded into new territory in its last act, which propelled to movie to new heights, there is nothing remotely similar in its universality here.
The voice work leaves a bit to be desired too, and I was surprised at the amount of talent behind when credits rolled. I am not sure Will Arnett was the best person for the main role, although he does do a good douche. Also, why on Earth is Ralph Fiennes not voicing Voldemort too?
« Everything is awesome... »
8/10