The phrase "greatest movie ever" is used quite often, mainly as a joke, but every so often (or once or twice a year) there comes along a film that spurs lots of online debate over whether it actually IS the greatest movie ever. You wouldn't think that an animated movie about a product that a toy company makes would be one of these discussions, but here we are.
I first reported news of a LEGO movie being made in the November 18, 2011 Friday Film Fiesta with the lone comment "I'm so there!" At the time I was skeptical. It wasn't a Pixar movie, so it would probably suck. It wasn't one of the old school animated Disney movies, so it would probably suck. I had seen the CGI animated LEGO Star Wars shorts in the past; they're good for a quick laugh, but they're ultimately forgettable. Very, very forgettable. But regardless of the quality, I would still see it because it's LEGO. I assumed that this LEGO movie would be exactly the same, and even wondered what kind of story they could even come up with. Then, over the next two years, news broke of the casting choices, and last summer we got our first look at the LEGO toy sets based on the movie that were being developed. All of it sounded good. But still, could the movie be THAT good?
It is.
The movie's main character is named Emmett. He's a simple construction worker who follows all of the rules (or building instructions) and sings "Everything is Awesome" for over five hours a day. However Emmett's problem is that he is literally generic, and has no friends because nobody knows who he is. That all changes one day when some master builders invade the city in search of "the Special One" whose destiny is to destroy the barriers between all of the LEGO galaxies (each based on a different theme). See, eight years prior, the evil Lord Business stole the Piece of Resistance, and was able to barricade the LEGO realms and prevent minifigures from travelling throughout the galaxies. So Emmett the unlikely hero must join forces with the Master Builders before Lord Business enacts his Taco Tuesday plan, which is really to superglue all of the LEGO pieces together, thus cementing his character as the most evil villain in Hollywood history.
And as a toy collector, the end of the movie really tugged at my heart. Without spoiling anything, the plot all starts to come together at a certain point, and the style of the film radically changes. You'll know when you get there. It's almost a light hearted jab at collectors of LEGO, and a sick burn at the reeeeeaaally hardcore collectors too, yet it re-enforces the fact that in the end, LEGOs are toys, and can be enjoyed by EVERYONE. Because the age limites are totally just suggestions. Whether you build sets and display them as a collection or play with them as toys, it's what you do with your imagination that counts. And everything you make is beautiful.
I loved every minute of this movie and will be buying it the day it is released on home video. The cast was fantastic, and there are lots of fun cameos by both celebrities doing voiceovers and older LEGO sets and themes. SPACESHIP~!!! And with its record breaking box office opening, a few other people must have liked it too. Highest recommendation from me, and we have a very early contender for Movie of the Year.
Now, please excuse me while I go and play with my toys.
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