Review: ‘The Lego Batman Movie’ Is A Visually Stunning, Comedic Adventure For All Audiences

“The Lego Batman Movie” is fun for all ages.

As Gotham sees a change in police leadership, Batman must adapt his crime fighting while his alter ego must adapt to parenting. “The Lego Batman Movie” pits an exaggerated, animated version of Batman against comedic challenges while incorporating elements of a Lego world.

Cinematics (Cinematography, Acting, Plot, etc.) – 3.5

The visual appeal of this film is unparalleled with its blend of photorealistic stop motion and CGI. Just as its predecessors achieved before, “The Lego Batman Movie,” maintains consistency with its vibrant colors and fluid feel. Purist may criticize Lego films for their use of CGI, but utilizing computer animation is a means to bridge the gap between stop motion and realism. There’s a jumbled, stylistic approach to creating the environment and for some it can be a sensory overload. Personally I reveled in the eye candy presented in IMAX and I was anticipating every moment that followed.

While the visual splendor kept me captivated, there were a few moments that lingered. The flow of the plot was consistent with other Lego films making some moments feel interchangeable or generic. As a children’s film this is perfectly fine, but older moviegoers may feel the film losing luster intermittently. With that said, this does not hinder the overall experience. “The Lego Batman Movie” holds true to its intended promise bringing forth what we would expect from this type of movie.

The highlights of this film have to be Will Arnett (Batman) and Michael Cera (Robin). Arnett is the same egotistical Batman that we’ve come to know from “The Lego Movie.” His appearance was brief in his previous film but the character definitely had an impact. In this film we get an amplified view of the character and it’s pure comedy throughout. The only character that may outshine Batman in the comedic realm is Robin. It’s easy to identify Michael Cera’s quirky, awkward persona, but it’s also a perfect fit for this parody of Robin. He establishes another juxtaposed, comedic layer with his personality that directly opposes Batman’s. Their shared screen time as Batman and Robin are probably the most comedic elements of the film.

Overall “The Lego Batman Movie” is a well structured film that utilizes a proven formula. There’s an intended age demographic with this movie but it’s shaped in a way that is accessible to all.

Entertainment Value – 4

From beginning to end, “The Lego Batman Movie” is ocular overload. Even disregarding the plot and characters, I would have been fully engaged in presentation alone. The proprietary process used to bring these Lego characters to life is still mind-blowing in every new film. Every detail is so fluid and crisp that I would definitely recommend seeing in IMAX to capture the full experience.

In addition, this film was just plain fun. It carried the enjoyment of a comic book film yet also entertained through parody. Many of the common characteristics we’ve come to know from these superheroes are heavily exaggerated and it produces quite a few laughs. Batman’s ego, Robin’s costume, and even Gotham’s crime rate are all the butt of a joke. The comedy also manages to walk the thin line between adult and kid humor making the laughter a unique experience for all.

Re-Watchability – 4

Whether you’re a family person or completely single, “The Lego Batman Movie” is a film that can be watched over and over again. For families, I think it will be a perfect go to film for your children that parents can enjoy as well. I could also see many venturing back to the theater for a second viewing based on visuals alone.