Written by: Kevin Berge
This is the dark middle chapter of this (still not official) trilogy. If you look real close, you can tell. (Image Courtesy of: blackgirlnerds.com)
Quick Take: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part takes a hard look at modern entertainment and the unnecessary division between people how they play. While it is not quite as complete and clever as its predecessor, it is a worthy, funny, and emotionally resonant sequel.
Lego Movie Reviews: Lego | Lego Batman
***This review will not contain spoilers for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part but will contain spoilers for the original The Lego Movie in order to explain the set up of the sequel. Read ahead at your own risk if you are new to the franchise.***
It is always difficult to write a sequel as it is building upon the foundations of something that has already succeeded. You cannot retrace the same steps, but you also cannot stray too far away. It is especially difficult follow up one of the best animated movies ever made in The Lego Movie.
The original is not just a movie about a Lego world. It is a movie about what Legos represent. It is about the universality of creativity, the important of inclusion, and the ultimate realization that there is far more to doing something great than being born great.
It is also just a hilarious film, the funniest Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have written, and they have made their mark precisely due to their ability to craft comedic films. It utilizes its ability to pile together franchises from all over to build a fantastic hodgepodge of references that never stop.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is not quite as perfect or hilarious, but it is a worthy successor to the legacy. It carves its own path with the set up from the last film, building on the foundations that ended the film and opening up the insecurities of the central cast.
Emmit saved the world by bringing people together, but his effect on the Lego world was only temporary. While Lucy still believes in him and the way he takes on a challenge, a lot of time passes between the first and second movie intentionally, allowing people to forget the lessons of the first.
That is not to say though that this movie is seeking to reiterate. Everyone has been changed by the first movie. Batman also has opened himself up a bit more thanks to his Lego experience. These people are friends now, and they care about each other. They just see through Emmit a bit, who was always intentionally a one-note character.
***This review will not contain spoilers for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part but will contain spoilers for the original The Lego Movie in order to explain the set up of the sequel. Read ahead at your own risk if you are new to the franchise.***
It is always difficult to write a sequel as it is building upon the foundations of something that has already succeeded. You cannot retrace the same steps, but you also cannot stray too far away. It is especially difficult follow up one of the best animated movies ever made in The Lego Movie.
The original is not just a movie about a Lego world. It is a movie about what Legos represent. It is about the universality of creativity, the important of inclusion, and the ultimate realization that there is far more to doing something great than being born great.
It is also just a hilarious film, the funniest Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have written, and they have made their mark precisely due to their ability to craft comedic films. It utilizes its ability to pile together franchises from all over to build a fantastic hodgepodge of references that never stop.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is not quite as perfect or hilarious, but it is a worthy successor to the legacy. It carves its own path with the set up from the last film, building on the foundations that ended the film and opening up the insecurities of the central cast.
Emmit saved the world by bringing people together, but his effect on the Lego world was only temporary. While Lucy still believes in him and the way he takes on a challenge, a lot of time passes between the first and second movie intentionally, allowing people to forget the lessons of the first.
That is not to say though that this movie is seeking to reiterate. Everyone has been changed by the first movie. Batman also has opened himself up a bit more thanks to his Lego experience. These people are friends now, and they care about each other. They just see through Emmit a bit, who was always intentionally a one-note character.
Batman is still having more success lately in Lego form than any live action adaptation, for obvious reasons. Best Batman is self-aware Batman. (Image Courtesy of: movieweb.com)
This is a two character story much like the first movie, and it allows Lucy much more space to explore her own insecurity. However, this still ends up feeling like it is first about developing Emmit. Perhaps entirely without meaning to, this movie is a fascinating companion piece to last year's Ralph Breaks the Internet.
This is a movie about two friends coming to terms with who they are and what they could be if they let themselves be swayed by others. They need to embrace that they are whoever they want to be even when characters come into play that attempt to change them.
The crux of the story is the introduction of Finn's younger sister Bianca, who has her own way of playing with Legos. They each have their own style, creating an antagonistic dynamic between their two worlds. Emmit and Lucy are forced to face a world on the brink of collapse thanks to the attacks of the Duplo blocks.
Not everything though is quite that simple, and there's some much dramatic storytelling here to enjoy. At times, it often exceeds the first for emotional weight even if it is far more uneven. The humor is surprisingly fresh with very few repeat jokes.
While this film was not directed by Lord and Miller, it feels very much like a natural progression from the first and is still written by the duo. Director Mike Mitchell (Trolls) keeps their same spirit and crafts a fresh take that is appealing for all ages.
While this new Lego Movie franchise has had its ups and downs (The Lego Ninjago Movie) already and is pushing forward with rapid speed, there is no doubt that has mostly been a success. With movies like this continuing to come out that rival the best Pixar and Disney can offer, I will gladly take more.
This is a movie about two friends coming to terms with who they are and what they could be if they let themselves be swayed by others. They need to embrace that they are whoever they want to be even when characters come into play that attempt to change them.
The crux of the story is the introduction of Finn's younger sister Bianca, who has her own way of playing with Legos. They each have their own style, creating an antagonistic dynamic between their two worlds. Emmit and Lucy are forced to face a world on the brink of collapse thanks to the attacks of the Duplo blocks.
Not everything though is quite that simple, and there's some much dramatic storytelling here to enjoy. At times, it often exceeds the first for emotional weight even if it is far more uneven. The humor is surprisingly fresh with very few repeat jokes.
While this film was not directed by Lord and Miller, it feels very much like a natural progression from the first and is still written by the duo. Director Mike Mitchell (Trolls) keeps their same spirit and crafts a fresh take that is appealing for all ages.
While this new Lego Movie franchise has had its ups and downs (The Lego Ninjago Movie) already and is pushing forward with rapid speed, there is no doubt that has mostly been a success. With movies like this continuing to come out that rival the best Pixar and Disney can offer, I will gladly take more.
