Rating of
3/4
The Lego Batman Movie - Review
Matthew Brady - wrote on 02/21/17
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!
