Batman Lego Movie Still
With DC failing miserably at every turn with their ill-fated cinematic universe films, I find it quite ironic that far more people were interested to see a satirical Lego version of the Dark Knight than another live action incarnation. 2014’s The Lego Movie proved that with a clever enough script and brilliantly laced humor, a mere toy series can become a comedic masterpiece. Unsurprisingly, one of the film’s breakout stars was Will Arnett’s hilarious take on Batman, so hilarious that Warner Bros. and DC Comics thought the character could handle a spin-off movie of his own. With the bar set so high by the first Lego Movie and equally low by DC’s live action films, The LEGO Batman will certainly be a unique film experience that could spawn countless more LEGO franchises . . . or kill it right here and now.
The story follows the self-loving, costumed crime fighter everyone knows and loves (especially himself): Batman/Bruce Wayne (Will Arnett). Obsessed with his long wolf image, Batman ignores Alfred’s (Ralph Fiennes) advice about starting a family and learning to work together with newly adopted Dick Grayson/Robin (Michael Cera) and new Gotham City commissioner Barbra Gordon/Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) to fight crime. Frustrated with Batman’s refusal to accept him as his arch nemesis, The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) organizes all of Batman’s greatest villains to take over the city and prove that for once, Batman may need help of his very own to combat this growing evil.
Very few spin-off characters are interesting or amusing enough that they can actually hold up an entire series or film on their own; however, Arnett’s dedication to this role truly makes the character a constant source of entertainment and laughs throughout the film. Even when a joke falls flat or comes off as too kiddie-ish, Arnett knows how to deliver the right tone and enthusiasm to this silly super hero role. One thing that I loved about this film’s structure was its heavy use of Batman’s legacy. The LEGO Movie was all about mixing everything together in a giant mish-mash of every pop culture wise crack it could crank out, LEGO Batman celebrates everything good and bad (even gets a few jabs at Batman v. Superman and “Suicide Squad” in) about Batman’s history in TV and films; all the way back to TV serials and Adam West’s portrayal.
Nearly every Batman villain is represented on screen, from the major player’s right down to the most obscure and ridiculous bad guys that even hardcore comic fans would like to forget. There are also plenty of other twists and characters that you would not expect to see in a film like this, overall adding to a visually stunning and well-rounded cast of colorful comic book characters. Cera’s enthusiasm as Robin is just utterly endearing, Dawson makes a great turn on Batgirl and Galifianakis (the last person I’d think of casting as the clown prince of crime) brings the most unique take on the Joker I’ve seen yet. Oddly enough though, one of my strongest criticisms with the film is with its supposed strongest point: its silliness, or more accurately: its humor.
LEGO Movie as rampantly funny and had loads of mature humor mixed in with childish characters and imagery. LEGO Batman movie reverses the formula: the references are for mature/older audiences and the humor is childish and immature. LEGO Movie made it vividly clear this was a movie for everyone of all ages to enjoy and laugh at, LEGO Batman Movie makes everything kid friendly and wastes multiple golden opportunities with too safe and too friendly of an approach. On top of that, dozens of great actors and comedians voice Batman’s rogue’s gallery and almost none of them are ever heard. How can you have the likes of Conan O’Brien, Kate Micucci, Doug Benson and Billy Dee Williams and just waste them with sound bite length performances? For a movie supposed to be about parodying everything related to Batman, they sure have a funny way of not actually being THAT funny.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHBmC4Nfxa4″]
Overall, LEGO Batman Movie is the best DC movie that’s come out in years . . . which is saying a lot and also saying very little at the same time. It’s a surprisingly in depth mockumentary that exaggerates everything great and awful about Batman’s history. The cast is top notch, Arnett and Cera work smashingly well together, and its visuals never fail to disappoint. It’s just a shame it wastes so many talented stars/voices on micro machine-sized roles that make them more like cameos than actual characters. The jokes are handled with kid gloves and I just can’t help but feel this movie could have been so much funnier, wittier and widely applicable had they produced a snappy enough script that tickles everyone’s funny bones; not just children’s.
I give The LEGO Batman Movie 3 and ½ out of 5 stars.
Movie Ratings Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Would Watch Again
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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