Every kid of almost every generation is familiar with Lego toys. Many a fine, future architect has honed his childhood ambitions and skills through the use of these versatile and creativity-inducing building blocks. Over the past few years there's been an influx of video games that incorporate the toy into their story-lines and gaming environments. There's been Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Star Wars to name a few. But could such a culture as that created by Lego be translated into a full length animated feature film? The answer is a resounding and simplistic "yes".
There is, in fact, a lot that can be done with this toy in the creation of vast, beautiful worlds that transcend anything that can be achieved with live action. The environments and worlds depicted in "The Lego Movie" are a thing to behold and as this film demonstrates, can be the object of scathing cultural and sociological critique.
The nature of conformism and maintaining the status quo are fiercely explored in "The Lego Movie" with its depiction of a world where, as a popular tune in this land iterates, "Everything is Awesome" and people go about their daily tasks without questioning what they do or why they're doing it. Emmet Brickowski is one such person (or Lego figure), and as he goes about his daily habits of waking up, getting an over-priced cup of joe, and going to work each day, the viewer is ingrained with the expectation that something will happen to shake up this oh-so-perfect and straightforward existence.
As it turns out, he comes across a trespasser at his construction site job, who has ventured on-site after working hours. This intruder is a female Lego figure named Wyldstyle and she's searching for something called "The Piece of Resistance". The story has also previously revealed that it is this piece that can counter the powers of the evil Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell) who wants to destroy this Lego land by gluing everything together so that all is set in stone with his "Kragle".
Vitruvius (voiced by Morgan Freeman) is a wizard who reveals to Emmet and Wyldstyle that they are "Master Builders" capable of building anything without the use of instructions. It is only they that can save the planet from the evil Lord Business.
This film will entertain adults and children alike. There is something for everyone. The blending of different universes (Batman, Star Wars, etc) with that of the everyday one is ingenious and adds layers of complexity and hilarity to the story.
Underneath it all there are important messages for kids about the importance of creativity, individualism, originality and non-conformism. The visuals are astounding and are absolute eye-candy. This is a fantastic animated feature.
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