Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
With the worldwide phenomenon of “The LEGO Movie,” we were pumped to see more of our favorite figurines on the silver screen including this fall’s “The LEGO Ninjago Movie.” But, first, we’re treated to a spinoff starring everybody’s favorite Dark Knight and heavy metal superstar in “The LEGO Batman Movie.”
Not only referencing the hero’s nearly 80-year history, this movie also goes the extra mile of being the most action-packed, gag-a-minute and colorful animated comedy of the decade. It’s easily the first great movie of 2017.
Batman (Will Arnett) has just saved Gotham City from another plan carried out by his arch-nemesis, The Joker (Zach Galifianakis), and his band of other famous baddies. However, his butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) believes he needs to have a family again after spending years fighting crime alone.
At a special gala for retiring Commissioner Gordon (Hector Elizondo), his alter-ego Bruce Wayne meets young orphan Dick Grayson (Michael Cera), who looks up to him and the new Commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson), who wants to team up with Batman to better Gotham. But then The Joker shows up to surrender himself before him and his villains team are sent to Arkham Asylum.
Realizing something’s not right, Batman and the newly adopted Grayson, now as Robin, infiltrate Superman’s (Channing Tatum) Fortress of Solitude and steal a device to send The Joker to the Phantom Zone. But it’s all part of the Clown Prince of Crime’s ultimate plan by teaming up with other famous villains, including Sauron (Jemaine Clement), King Kong (Seth Green), Voldemort (Eddie Izzard), the Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys, and many others to destroy Gotham City for good. With all the bad guys, the Dark Knight has to face his fears and work with Robin, Gordon and Alfred for the ultimate battle of the city’s fate.
As with “The LEGO Movie,” this movie jam packs enough action, jokes and story in one whole 100-minute package while remaining consistently entertaining. The jokes do fly by a lot, but all ages can still catch enough of them to enjoy.
But this one also factors in something important: it satirizes the current trend of superhero movies. Those who can’t stand DC’s dark and brooding comic book movies, including “Man of Steel” and “Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice” will find this as the perfect antidote.
Another important factor is how much more tender and genuine is the story’s themes of family and teamwork. Whenever the movie takes a break from the action, it takes the time to show Batman’s nicer side and have him face his fears and regrets. It also applies a brilliant send-up of romantic comedies when The Joker wants him to express his “hatred” for him. The comedy and drama aspects help keep everything else in balance.
Arnett once again plays Batman as the most likable egocentric superhero since Iron Man, but also brings the same level of humor and heart as past Batmen, such as Adam West and Michael Keaton. It’s pointless to compare Galifianakis’ Joker to other actors, since it’s just the funnyman bringing his own brand of humor to the character. Cera brings an energetic boyish charm to Robin that would make Chris O’Donnell jealous. Dawson and Fiennes both bring dry humor and authority to their characters. The movie also has a supporting list of comedy who’s who playing some of the most memorable baddies in screen history, including Billy Dee Williams finally playing Two-Face almost 30 years after playing Harvey Dent in Tim Burton’s “Batman.”
“The LEGO Batman Movie” proves that with LEGO bricks, computer animation and a very open imagination a great movie can be made and will be seen by everybody for years to come. Kids will have a fun time, while grown-ups will also enjoy it for the nostalgia of it. It’s like when “The LEGO Movie” opened to universal acclaim that the world opened up to creativity and imagination, and that’s what movies are all about.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG (for rude humor and some action)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 4 Stars (out of four)
