The Lego Batman Movie - Film Review

I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how much I loved 2014’s The Lego Movie. It’s one of the best animated features I’ve ever seen, a winning combination of unique animation, intelligent humor and heartfelt storytelling. And seeing as how Will Arnett’s Lego Batman character was one of its biggest highlights, it came as no surprise to anyone when Warner Bros. announced a new entry in the Lego series focused on the character. Does The Lego Batman Movie live up to the high bar set by its predecessor? The short answer is ‘no.’ The longer answer is ‘no, but it’s still a whole lot of fun.’

Things kick off in splendid fashion with an extended action sequence in which Batman saves Gotham City from the clutches of his Rogues Gallery for the umpteenth time. After he basks in the adoration of a glowing public, he returns home to celebrate.

Alone.

Needless to say, Batman’s home life is far less fulfilling than his crimefighting one. He lazes about in his giant swimming pool, feasts on microwaved lobster meals and carries on conversations with a massive portrait of his dead parents. Alfred, his ever-faithful butler, recognizes and points out the crucial element Batman is missing from his life: a family.

Batman’s world is turned upside down when he accidentally adopts Dick Grayson, a high-spirited, eager-to-please young orphan. After Dick discovers the batcave (with a little help from Alfred), he leaps at the opportunity to aid Batman in his never-ending battle for justice. And it’s not a moment too soon. The Joker has a sinister plan up his sleeve and Batman will need all the help he can get in taking the Joker down and saving Gotham City once more.

I’ll give The Lego Batman Movie this much: if nothing else, it kept me laughing. Every time my interest began to drift, a perfectly-timed one-liner would pull me right back in. The bad news is my interest drifted far more often than not. Where The Lego Movie felt like a work of genuine passion and blazing originality, The Lego Batman Movie feels a bit more calculated, less a genuine creative effort than an attempt to bank off its predecessor’s success. And while I can appreciate The Lego Batman Movie’s valid attempts to make the character fun again, it does so at the expense of developing a genuine emotional center. The continuous onslaught of jokes makes it difficult to connect with the material. It’s as if the filmmakers were concerned slowing the relentless pacing down for a few minutes would lose the audience. It’s not to say the film doesn’t have heart; there’s no question it does. It’s just difficult to feel genuinely invested in such a hyperactive film.

But the moments that work tip the balance in the film’s favor. There are tons of great Easter Eggs and subtle references for Batman fans, and even though I wish the creative team had delved a bit deeper into examining the character, I can’t fault them for making a clear effort to celebrate his legacy. And something else that should come as a surprise to no one, the casting is superb. Will Arnett makes a welcome return as the Dark Knight with Michael Cera filling in as the enthusiastically optimistic Boy Wonder and Ralph Fiennes serving as the indispensable Alfred Pennyworth. Rosario Dawson and Zach Galifianakis are excellent in their respective roles as Barbara Gordon and the Joker, and the film is full of fantastic cameos from many familiar faces that I won’t spoil here.

The Lego Batman Movie is a consistently hilarious effort, providing solid entertainment for Lego and Batman fans of all ages. It might be something of a step back for this budding franchise, but it’s still inventive and funny enough to rise above its shortcomings. That being said, the manic, ADD-esque energy levels these films demonstrate may be starting to wear out their welcome. It’s charming enough…for now…but if the Lego creative team wants to keep people invested in future films that won’t be able to rely on an established character such as Batman, they’re going to need to start devoting some serious time to going beyond the flashy animation and zippy punchlines and not being afraid to give us something to invest in.

FINAL RATING: 3/5

Shawn Eastridge's Fantastically Spectacular Favorite Movies of 2014 Part 3: Favorite Films of the Year Vol. 2

And here we are, ladies and gentlemen! I'd like to personally congratulate each and every one of you for making it this far. This is the big finale, the moment you've all been waiting for! Starting with #10 and moving our way up, here, at long last, are my…

TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2014

("You don't think it's too subtle, Marty, you don't think people are going to drive down and not see the sign?")

10. SNOWPIERCER

Arguably the most original action film of 2014. Joon-ho Bong is an amazing filmmaker and he continues to prove himself as such with this thrilling and unforgettable experience. Gotta love Tilda Swinton as a total nut.

9. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

The eighth film in the Planet of the Apes franchise is arguably the best of the bunch. It's a stunning achievement on nearly every level, deepening the themes and characters of its predecessor. The effects are extraordinary, but even more impressive is just how affecting the story is. Matt Reeves is quickly becoming one of the best directors of this day and age and Andy Serkis continues to cement himself as one of the greatest actors ever.

8. EDGE OF TOMORROW

One of the most unfairly overlooked movies of the year, Edge of Tomorrow is also one of 2014’s most original, both exciting and consistently entertaining. Think Groundhog’s Day meets sci-fi action super kickass extravaganza and you'll start to get the idea, but even that description doesn't do full justice to how awesome it is. It's nice to see both Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman back on track after a string of disappointments.

7. GONE GIRL

Another hypnotizing thriller from David Fincher. Based on Gillian's Flynn superb novel, Gone Girl functions as both a black comedy of the highest order and a taut, well-spun mystery with amazing performances from Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and the rest of the supporting cast. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross craft another incredible soundtrack and Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography is some of his best work yet.

6. THE LEGO MOVIE

So much energy, so much heart, so much fun. The Lego Movie is hilarious and even finds the time to be incredibly touching. One of the best animated movies I’ve ever seen.

5. CHEF

Simple, hilarious, and immensely charming, Jon Favreau takes a break from big budget filmmaking to deliver one of the finest films of his career and one of 2014’s most endearing. In some ways, it feels like a successor to the great Jimmy Stewart/Frank Capra collaborations, and that's quite an achievement.

4. CAPTAIN AMERICA: WINTER SOLDIER

Everyone's still going gaga for Guardians of the Galaxy and rightfully so, but I firmly believe the award for best Marvel movie of 2014 belongs to the Captain. Captain America: Winter Soldier takes the Marvel franchise into exciting new territory, deservedly meriting comparisons to Christopher Nolan's masterpiece The Dark Knight. It also stands tall as one of the year’s finest action flicks. Captain America: Winter Soldier continues Marvel Studios' winning streak, upping the stakes for the entire Marvel franchise and further developing its characters.

3. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

Nobody makes ‘em like Wes Anderson and he continues to prove this point, following up his 2012 masterpiece Moonrise Kingdom with yet another work of genius. Incredible performances from one of the best casts Anderson has ever assembled (and that's saying a lot) matched with one of his best screenplays and trademark unforgettable imagery. Anderson has an unparalleled imagination (gotta love his use of different aspect ratios to indicate different time periods) and The Grand Budapest Hotel serves as further proof that he is one of the great artistic minds of our time.

2. BIRDMAN

I adore Birdman with all my being. On every level, from Alejandro González Iñárritu's direction and the unparalleled work of cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki to the incredible cast, which features the likes of Michael Keaton (giving a career-defining performance), Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts; from one of the best screenplays of the year to Antonio Sanchez's jazz-infused whirlwind of a soundtrack, Birdman is an indisputable masterpiece and one of the single most remarkable films I have ever seen. Hilarious and heartbreaking.

1. BOYHOOD

And now we come to it, a film that has the power to invoke more hyperboles than every other movie released in 2014 combined (or perhaps the entire century thus far). And yet, there's no other way to put it, because in the entire history of film there is simply nothing quite like Boyhood. Filmed over the course of 12 years, following the life of a young boy and his family, Boyhood is a singular cinematic experience and a celebration of life, rejoicing in the little moments that make us who we are. Richard Linklater has made quite a few remarkable films in his career, but this stands as one of his finest moments and perhaps the crowning achievement of his entire filmography.

And there you have it! Agree? Disagree? Something in-between? I'd love to hear about it! Thanks so much for checking out my favorite films of 2014. We'll see you in Sweden!…er…2015!