Directed by Chris McKay
Starring Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, and Zach Galifanakis
I'm just gonna say it, Batman was a pretty expendable character in the first The Lego Movie. I've grown to love the film since I shared my initial thoughts on it, but from an extremely critical perspective, if you were to take the Bat-suit, name, and cowl away it would pretty much be the same character. It's kind of cynical for me to say that the filmmakers probably just went, "Well we have the rights to Batman, and he has a Lego, so let's make him a character in The Lego Movie." but I'm paying devil's advocate to get to a point.
That point being that while Batman being a character in the first Lego film wasn't necessary but it paid off immensely, the same could be said for this spinoff film, which wasn't needed but I think most can say they're glad to have because by God, it might be one of the best Batman films ever.
I mean we could get philosophical for a bit and debate what makes a film "necessary" or "needed" or what stories are worth telling or not telling…but we're here to talk about the next installment in the…Lego Cinematic Universe? I guess that's a thing now. Anyway.
The Lego Batman Movie follows the adventures of the titular character (Again played by Arnett) back in his home of Gotham City, which mostly include taking down all of his rogues gallery and just hanging out by himself in his big, empty mansion.
Batman (and Bruce Wayne's) life are about to get hit with a series of major changes, when he must comes to terms with a new police commissioner (Dawson) who wants to change how he and the force and work together, his newly adopted son Dick Grayson (Cera) that he must take responsibility for, and The Joker (Galifanakis) going to the extremest of lengths to get Batman to admit he is his greatest foe.
The film manages to juggle these three plot threads well by making the driving force of the film what makes Batman who he is, and I mean the legendary character Batman, not just this film's iteration. Bruce Wayne/Batman is a loner. He keeps to himself, he chooses a life as a caped crusader over a simple life with a family, because of his painful past. This is not new to Batman. We've seen it explored in previous films and comics before. The Lego Batman Movie manages to successfully honor these character traits while putting a spin on them that both children and adults in the audience can understand, which is kind of brilliant.
Is this the same serious Batman that Ben Affleck or Christian Bale portray? No but this film is meant to both honor and poke fun at Batman, and somehow both there's and every other version of the character get a nod or a jab. I have to talk about how the relationship between Batman and The Joker is portrayed. It is cheesy and sometimes cringeworthy, but The Joker always has sort of operated with some need to have Batman oppose him and acknowledge him as a threat. Soooo it's actually pretty clever in how its spins this age-old conflict in a comical new light.
Will Arnett is again pitch-perfect as this Batman, getting much more to do with the role this time around. Michael Cera is adorable and hilarious as Robin (God I can't believe I just said that about Michael Cera). Rosario Dawson fits the Barbara Gordon role so well, and Zach Galifanakis is absolutely delightful as The Joker. Ralph Finnes also gets some great material as Alfred, and there are plenty of hilarious little cameos throughout the film.
If I had to say anything bad about the film, is that I wish that the writers had taken more advantage of the Lego universe and setting, and the climatic "battle"sort of pales in comparison to big fight in the second act, but this is all nitpicking.
The Lego Batman Movie is not a movie the world necessarily needed to see, but I think most who see it will very glad they did. It manages to do something fun and new with the character while paying homage to The Dark Knight. Honestly, I'm very excited to see what other famous characters will…could, get a Lego film.
My God could we get The Lego Batman VS Superman Movie?!?!
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