Synopsis:
The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, “The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part,” reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city. It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.
What We Thought:
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is nowhere near as good as The LEGO Movie, but everything is still pretty awesome! The first film came out of nowhere and shocked the heck out of everyone so this highly anticipated sequel had super high expectations. It doesn’t quite meet all those expectations, but it’s still a lot of fun and worth seeing if you’ve enjoyed the LEGO franchise.
I think the biggest issue I have with this film is that it spends too much time in the real world. The real world existence in the first film was a great plot twist that surprised everyone. This film spends too much time in the real world that it feels more like a gimmick than a plot point. If you haven’t seen the first movie and have no idea what I’m talking about with the real world existence, I have to ask, why are you reading a review to a sequel then?
If you removed a good chunk of the brother/sister/mom real world stuff, the movie would have felt more fluid. When it’s in the animated LEGO world, it’s fun, colorful and musical. Emmet, Lucy, Batman, Benny (Spaceship!), Unikitty, MetalBeard and all our favorites are back along with some new characters. Emmet’s new adventure is to rescue his friends who have been taken by space invaders (LEGO DUPLO) and on his travels meets Rex Dangervest and his raptors. Rex agrees to help Emmet, but not everything is what it seems.
There is a big reveal that every adult should see coming and that should be the major plot twist. But every time the adventure builds up and a new character comes in, it cuts back to the real world and pulls us away from Emmet. The LEGO Batman Movie came out after The LEGO Movie and has no outside interaction and Batman talks about his adventures in that movie in this movie so I’m not sure why they went with a big real world push here.
I know it sounds like I’m criticizing The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part more than praising it, but I did like the film. It has a couple of musical numbers that were unnecessary, probably could have cut most of Tiffany Haddish’s numbers, but there is at least one song that will get stuck in your head. Watch the movie, you’ll understand the reference. There are some great jokes including one from Abe Lincoln that will go over children’s heads but adults will be floored. If your family enjoyed the first film, take them to this. If you’re an adult and you enjoyed the first film (and if you didn’t, what’s wrong with you?), go see this. I had a lot of fun with it despite a few issues and look forward to more LEGO adventures.
RECOMMENDED!
Cast:
Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Maya Rudolph
The Nerds Templar 