The Lego Movie Review

Written 2014. Director: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

When I first saw the preview for The Lego Movie, I swore it off my list immediately. I wrongly assumed it was an extended commercial for Legos. And then my friends raved about it - a little sheepishly at first - and the reviews were pouring in calling it the first great movie of 2014. So, I caved. I had to see for myself what all the excitement was about.

And wow, I'm really glad I did. The Lego Movie is a smart, deftly self-referential satire on modern American culture. And, it's hilarious. Even if you're not that into Legos , it will still be tremendous fun to watch. It's wildly creative script explores in a delightful way modern ideas about originality, identity, specialness, creativity, corporate branding, hipster culture, the perils of any cultural movement that gets stuck in it's own dogma, and how to grow up. And Yes - they really do pack all that in there.

It opens on Emmet, a construction worker in Lego World who lives by the book, fully plugged into a highly corporate world fueled on self-help instruction manuals, extra happy corporate pop music, and very expensive coffee. He's voiced by Chris Pratt, best known as the lovable man-child on the tv show Parks and Recreation, who brings all that lovable guileless charm to this tiny hero. Chasing after a mysterious trespesser, he falls into the underground rubble and wakes up with a huge cap stuck to his back and being questioned by authorities about who he's working for. He soon finds out he's "The Special: the smartest, most talented, most interesting person in the universe!" Emmet finds Lego World is looking to him to save their world and he finds he has something to bring that no one expected.

Enjoy discovering what Emmet uncovers, as well as plenty of smart, good-spirited jokes on all things pop culture, including plenty on pop-psychology. They do their best work on satirizing super heros - the dark and brooding Batman, Superman who doesn't want to be seen with Green Latern - and the limits of being a Lego in Lego World.

The Lego Movie is like a really great party - you get to relax, have a great laugh, rich, interesting conversation and never have your intelligence insulted by the entertainment.