Recollection Reflection Review: 'The LEGO Movie'

It's been a while since I last reviewed a non-recent film release, but I wanted to revisit The LEGO Movie before I discuss The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part later this week. The reasoning behind this is that the sequel releases this weekend and the first review I ever shared here was for The LEGO Movie almost five years ago (we're days away from that anniversary where I'll share a 5th-year-anniversary post). In other news, I saw The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part at an advanced screening and hoped to complete and share my review Wednesday, but I may wind up seeing it a second time tonight and just wait till Friday. It really depends on when I finish writing this review.

'The LEGO Movie' Review

Nominated for: Best Original Song "Everything is Awesome."

Recollection- The LEGO Movie Review.

Reflection- I can recall seeing The LEGO Movie with especially low expectations because I figured it would be a feature-length advertisement for LEGOs, but being pleasantly surprised to discover an excellent animated feature brimming with heart, humor, and creativity. My opinion of it honestly hasn't changed much since I first saw it almost five years ago, but I'm excited to share a more in-depth review this time around.

Review-

Synopsis: An ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be prophesied as "The Special," is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.

Runtime: 100 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG (for mild action and rude humor)

Who should see it? Appropriate for all ages.

Co-written and co-directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, The LEGO Movie is the third feature from the writer-director duo and one of the most unique animated films to emerge in recent years. Moving at a breakneck pace, the brick-built flick is a remarkably kinetic, witty, and self-aware feature that encapsulates the core concept of LEGO better than a commercial ever could. However, the film takes on a much deeper meaning when the central conflict is revealed as an allegory for a struggle between father and son. Rewatching it with that perspective actually reveals layers-upon-layers of subtext about conformity vs. expressive individuality. However, it's very encouraging that a movie about toys which include an instruction manual is endorsing kids to be creative, and more importantly, be themselves.

Lord and Miller take the stock out of Chosen One prophecies by revealing no one in the film to be THE special because everyone is special in their own unique way. What makes you you is what makes you special, and sometimes a simple heart-to-heart conversation is all it takes to cultivate change. Everyone has the potential to be great and the capacity to make a difference in their home life, community, or even the world at large. All that's required of them is self-acceptance and initiative. With the proper motivation, anyone can complete a journey of self-discovery that will maximize their potential and ultimately make the world a better place. Cynics can criticize that optimistic perspective all they'd like, but it doesn't make the message any less meaningful because there's no harm in being yourself.

Stepping down from my soapbox, I must applaud the animators for materializing a brick-built world that's true to the brand. I've said it before, but I'll say it again... The animators captured the stilted, restricted movement of LEGOs so authentically that I often forget The LEGO Movie isn't a stop-motion production while watching it. Additionally, it all takes place within the imaginative mind of a child, so I love the little storytelling flourishes like the casual mixture of various IPs, the incorporation of common household products as mythic objects, and all the lasers, blasters, and weaponry going "pew pew" whenever fired. Each of these subtle details foreshadows the big twist in addition to giving that reveal much more credence. They're nice touches which flesh out the world in a fun, idiosyncratic way. 

As for the stacked voice cast, everyone constructs a memorable min-fig from the pieces of Lord and Miller's script. Chris Pratt provides the ideal excess of optimism and naivety required for the role of Emmet while also selling the character's self-doubt. Opposite Pratt, Elizabeth Banks' Wyldstyle (Lucy) is the sidekick who's clearly a more qualified hero. Banks strikes a wonderful balance juxtaposing Lucy's go-getter attitude with her underlying insecurities. Of course, I'll also never pass a chance to hear Morgan Freeman's voice share sagely wisdom through the mini-fig form of Vitruvius. Amongst the ensemble, Alison Brie's bipolar Unikitty, Charlie Day's space-ship obsessed Benny, and Nick Offerman's swashbuckling body-less pirate captain Metal Beard each serve as effective comic relief.

If there's a stand-out of the bunch though, it's undoubtedly Will Arnett's LEGO Batman. Arnett's narcissistic, self-serious take on the Dark Knight is legitimately a stroke of satirical comedic genius. Listening to him brag about his edginess will never cease to make me chuckle. It's no wonder he was the first to get a LEGO Movie spin-off!

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell delightfully chews the scenery as the megalomaniac Lord Business and even explores a more nuanced side to the character towards the film's conclusion. Serving as dual-personality law-enforcement, Liam Neeson quite literally spins his head around between voicing Good Cop and Bad Cop which remains an utter treat.

With plenty of heart, humor, and worthwhile messages to impart, The LEGO Movie proved itself to be much more than an hour and forty-one minutes of product placement. Impeccable animation, a charming voice-cast, distinct direction, and a smart script all worked in tandem to build a solid franchise foundation that likely won't get knocked down any time soon. After all this time, I'm happy to report that everything in The LEGO Movie is still awesome!!!

Film Assessment: A

'Zoolander 2' Review

I'm a tad late with this review as last week I went to see Deadpool but I got around to seeing the follow up to Zoolander and it's a sequel that was really ridiculously pointless. Zoolander 2 has fleeting glimpses of the funniest moments of the original and while I'll admit I chuckled a few times, the humor is severely lacking throughout, as a majority of the humor was showcased in the promotional material for the film. The film amounts to a grab-bag of random tongue and cheek celebrity cameos that are reminiscent of the fight scene from Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. The saddest thing about all of this is that you can tell effort is being made both in front of and behind the camera that results in a very muddled comedy. A majority of the original cast is back and ultimately just do the exact same thing as the original, and the lack of original comedy is exactly what makes this film so "la-me" as Derek Zoolander says in the film. Ben Stiller brings the dumbfounded male model back once again and is a little too comfortable in the role this time around. The same can be said for the other returning cast members, Owen Wilson as Hansel and Will Ferrell as Mugatu, who both fall right back into the ridiculous tropes of their respective characters. Penélope Cruz joins the cast with a smaller role but is serviceable for the character written for the film. Kristen Wiig is just plain weird as Alexanya Atoz, another mockery of the fashion industry. In summary, the film aims to be even funnier than it's original but ultimately shows signs of trying a bit too hard. If you are expecting Zoolander 2 to be just as good or even better than Zoolander, I'm telling you now that you are going to be very disappointed. I rarely discourage people from seeing a film in theaters, but sadly that's the case with Zoolander 2. 

Film Assessment: F

Throwback Thursday Review: 'Zoolander'

This week I'm reviewing Zoolander ahead of its sequel's release next weekend since it opens up against Deadpool and wanted to review Throwback Thursday Reviews related to both films. So next week, will be the second anniversary of this blog and I will publish a post specially for that looking back at the past of Film Assessment as well as looking forward to the future. Sorry for the delayed review, as I sometimes have difficulty reviewing comedies as there isn't as much substance to discuss.

'Zoolander' Review

Zoolander is a comedy about an evil fashion designer's villainous plot involves brainwashing a incompetent male model to assassinate the new Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is in opposition to child labor threatening the fashion industry. Zoolander nails it's satire and ridiculous premise. Ben Stiller directs and stars as Derek Zoolander, perfectly encapsulating the personality of the moronic model as the heart and soul of the film. The character of Derek Zoolander gives the film shoulders to stand on as the lead character who will leave you laughing with his two dumbfounded, indistinguishable looks and his charm, coming from his stupidity. Christine Taylor stars opposite Stiller as a journalist digging for dirt on Mugatu, the aforementioned fashion designer, and is effective for the film as a love interest and helping to drive home some of the humor. Owen Wilson plays Zoolander's rival, Hansel, who pairs well with Stiller as well as against him for some effective comedic bits. Will Ferrell gleefully portrays the film's absurd antagonist, Mugatu, and his over the top demeanor allows for some moments that will certainly leave you laughing. Overall, Zoolander is an enjoyable comedy that holds up to repetitive viewing with some great jokes, effective use of whacky celebrity cameos, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone that could use a good laugh.

Film Assessment: B-

'The LEGO Movie' Review

Nominated for: Best Original Song "Everything is Awesome".

So yesterday I went to go see The LEGO Movie, interested in seeing a movie based on one of my favorite toys as a child. I had seen that it had gotten very good reviews and I really enjoyed it.  The voice actors did a spectacular job especially Liam Neeson, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman, and Chris Pratt, who will be the lead in Marvel's upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy. It was a very cute children's movie with a good message that everyone is special if they believe in themselves. It was very enjoyable to watch in 3D because LEGOs would pop out as they were built or destroyed. I would highly recommend seeing the film in 3D if it is in your budget. Overall, The LEGO Movie was a very enjoyable trip to the theater.