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User Reviews for: The Lego Batman Movie

AndrewBloom
8/10  7 years ago
[8.0/10] There’s a running gag among superhero film fans these days that each new Batman movie forces viewers to relive Bruce Wayne’s parents being killed, that grisly scene reimagined again and again for each new generation. *The Lego Batman Movie*, thankfully, spares us from that (thought it might have been amusing to see the grim tones of Joe Chill rendered in “pew-pew” style). Still, the movie essentially responds to that criticism as it plumbs the depths of the tropes and subtropes and clichés that have sprung up around the Bat-verse, finding a trite but true take on the character in the process.

The film achieves this by showing a Batman who gazes wistfully at photo of him and his parents near crime alley, and implying that he is afraid to have a family for fear that getting close to anyone will result in that sort of loss. It’s heavy stuff, but *Lego Batman* plays it just light enough to keep the proceedings fun, but strong enough to where you cannot help but offer a minor “aww” when he, inevitably, opens those emotional doors and lets people into his life.

That makes *Lego Batman* sound deeper and darker it is. There is nothing particularly groundbreaking about the core story of the film, how a gloomy loner learns to appreciate the value of community and family. But grafting that onto The Batman himself, particularly in a film that is constantly taking the stuffing out of the ever-stoic, uber-capable, eternal icon of all that is broody and badass, lends it an air of fun that never lets up.

It’s also a major part of why the film is so sound at its core. Every major character has a journey. Batman discovers that he’s already a part of a family. Alfred manages to help his surrogate son grow up. Dick Grayson finds a surrogate dad of his own. And Barbara Gordon succeeds in finding a new, more communal way to fight crime, by having Batman work *with* local law enforcement rather than apart from them. Again, none of this is so novel, but it all splits off the main theme, and gives each of the protagonists an animating purpose and distinct point-of-view throughout the proceedings.

But what truly sets *Lego Batman* apart is its the way the films writers clearly both love Batman, but find endless ways to make fun of the caricature of the character that has emerged in the popular culture over last thirty years or so. The just-for-fun confines of the Lego environment gives director Chris McKay (who’s used to this style of reimaginative comedy from his work on *Robot Chicken*) license to turn the Caped Crusader into a silly, over-the-top parody of himself, with plenty of nods to the character’s prior incarnations in tow.

*Lego Batman* is, in fact, a veritable cornucopia of humorous homages, great and small, to the entire history of the character. While the hilarious *Batman: The Brave and The Bold* animated series functioned similarly as a tribute to the wilder and woolier side of the character’s past appearances, it (mostly) played those nods straight, albeit tongue-in-cheek, while McKay’s film a whirling dervish of meta-gags about Batman’s greatest hits, filled to the brim with winks to the audience and blasts from the past. Whether it’s a cavalcade of Z-grade villains or Billy Dee Williams finally getting to play Two-Face or The Joker declaring that his latest caper will be even greater than the “thing with the two boats,” there are frequent shout outs to Batman’s other on-screen outings.

To that end, the film’s finest point is its opening fifteen minutes, which serves as both a nice entree to the world and tone of the film, and also as a nice, standalone gag-fest for not only The Dark Knight himself, but for all superhero flick opening acts. The rapid-fire gags and meta humor are in full swing, and the movie shows of its visual impressiveness as well, finding a nice balance between big action and Lego-fueled weightlessness. The torrent of hero-on-villain combat and comic asides creates an intro to the film that is as visually inventive as it is amusing.

But, as all films must, eventually *Lego Batman*’s initial thrills give way to the real plot. At this point, the film becomes more conventional in the paths its characters take, but the irreverence of it all, particularly the steely black-clad hero himself longing for a human connection in very silly terms, keeps the film enjoyable even when it can’t match the comic punch of that opening salvo. The cross-franchise mayhem, creative animated sequences, and murderer’s row of great actors voicing their Gotham counterparts, help buoy the proceedings even as the movie settles down.

Still, it’s the unconventional, loving-but-joshing take on the main character that wins the day. One of the quick gags early in the film is that the nominally dark, mature Batman loves romantic comedies. What seems like a throwaway gag, powered by the out of character fun of such a revelation, is fleshed out into a fulsome and funny bit of character, when The Joker takes offense to Batman refusing to call him his “greatest enemy.” What ensues is a story of a hero and archvillain told with the contours of the same romcoms, with jilted love (er, hate), a refusal to say three magic words, and the third act reconciliation and affirmation that takes the occasional obsessive subtext between Batman and the Clown Prince of Crime in an amusingly *Jerry MaGuire*-inspired direction.

That’s the gleam of *The Lego Batman Movie*. It’s a film that is not only aware of the storied, sometimes absurd history of its central (mini)figure, but it’s aware of the conversations that have cropped up in and among his endless permutations on screen over the years. It’s ready with a commentary on who Batman is, with all of his exaggerated qualities taken up to eleven, that is both age-appropriate for youngsters come to see a Lego adventure, and clever for the adults watching a riff on the hero they grew up with. And by offering a take on the character that is committed to not taking Batman too seriously, *Lego Batman*, oddly enough, presents one of the best encapsulations of the character and all the wonderful absurdity he’s spawned, that is affectionate, clever, and above all, fun.
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Matthew Brady-deleted-1534855046
7/10  7 years ago
You know DC f**ked up big time when a movie staring Lego figures started off a better cinematic universe than your live action movie.

After the surprise that was "The Lego Movie", which was my favorite animated movie of 2014. So of course I was looking forward to this. When the team behind "Morel Orel" is directing your movie, it's going to be special. Now while I liked "The Lego Movie" a little more due to the writing and it's clever hidden message, but still.

"The Lego Batman Movie" is the best Batman movie since "The Dark Knight" and that's saying a lot. With it's bright warm colors, fast peace, and some many pop culture references for its humor. There was even a Pulp Fiction reference that I'm not sure many picked up on. It's a movie for both kids and adults. All of the Lego movies have two things in common which is heart and team work. It's really smart and goes as far from being just a kids movie.

Heck, I almost teared up at point. That's right folks, I nearly cried during a movie staring Lego's. Wow.

Will Arnett as Batman might be my third favorite portrayal of the Caped Crusader. Just the voice, emotion swings, and his cocky attitude is basically Batman in a nutshell. While a funnier version, but also an interesting and compelling one. By focusing on family and the loneliness of Batman. The movie itself makes fun of Batman's history with Adam West and Schumacher movies, but also being somewhat respectful as well.

And who would've thought Zach Galifianakis was going to be a solid Joker. Galifianakis was having a blast with this, but also putting his own take on the character as well. The Jokers evil plans in the movie are so absurd and silly that somehow fits. It's perfect for the relationship between him and Batman. Making it a anti-romantic spoof.

All of the other cast all did a fantastic job. Michael Cera was great as Robin and had excellent chemistry with Will Arnett. Rosario Dawson was pretty good as Batgirl / Barbara Gordon. And Ralph Fiennes as Alfred was spot on, but kind of a wasted opportunity that he didn't reprise his role of Voldemort by voicing him, because Voldemort is in the movie. Oh well.

The animation is both really stunning and gorgeous. It's impressive that they once again made it look like it's stop motion animation with the power of CG. You can see the little details that you won't catch on your first watch. The finger prints that are clearly seen on the characters and the movement you would see in stop motion. I'm just be glad it's not the cheap looking direct-to-video animation that every movie starring Lego has been doing.

My only issue with "Lego Batman Movie" is the pacing. As I said before, there are some many pop culture references and all of them are funny, but the film goes by so quick it's easy to miss them. It doesn't give you much time to breath. So while your laughing at the joke, it will then make two or three more jokes. I literally wanted to say to the movie "Please, slow down a bit". But I can see this easily been fixed by re-watching it, which may help.

Overall rating: Everything Is Batman!
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Galileo5
/10  7 years ago
I expected a good time and was not dissapointed. I WAS surprised however how touching it was in parts. Succeeding where countless live action Batman movies have failed in showing the human side of Batman instead of Bruce Wayne. If I remember correctly in most of not all Batman movies screen time is split 50/50 for Wayne and Batman, give or take. Insightful character reflection is always reserved for the Wayne scenes, as the Batman scenes are filled with action. Not in this movie. The spotlight is almost exclusively on Batman, including the moments of self doubts and fear. That is a completely new approach and that's where it differs from a simple animated kids movie. I'd go even as far to say that while it may not be the best Batman movie, it is - for me at least - the most in-depth and portrayal of the caped crusader ever. So, yes the movie is a lot of fun with a ton of references and Easter eggs I'd probably need a second and third viewing to find them all, but beyond that it also gives you a glimpse into Batman's psyche in a way no other Batman movie has before. I would give this 8/10.
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Gimly
/10  6 years ago
How do I feel about _The Lego Batman Movie_? Pissed off. That's how I feel. Pissed off that to get another great Batman movie, we had to wait 5 years and for bloody LEGO of all properties to get their hands on the damn thing.

Seriously though _Lego Batman_ is pretty gold. Most of all I would recommend it to Batman fans, because there's a couple of tiny little off-the-cuff references you'll get an extra kick out of, but it'll also work for fans of the original _Lego Movie_, and for kids too.

_Final rating:★★★½ - I strongly recommend you make the time._
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SJC
/10  6 years ago
DA DA DA DA BATMAN - I MEAN: LEGO BATMAN
Not only in the fun style of the recent Lego film but the 1965-1068 TV show from Fox and Greenaways with DC with Adam West and Burt Ward, and which was produced and narrated by Bill Dozier with bat gusto, this is the second Lego film and the first real fun Batman film and treatment since that 1960s series (which, by the way, had its OWN 1966 Batman movie!). Susan "Pewter" Bennett, btw,also is Siri and is billied as such. Also another unique female voice:Jenny Slate ("Bellwether" in Zootopia) is Harley Quinn. Numerous funny song references make this an excellent movie..
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