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Review: Everything is Awesome Again in ‘The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part’
February 7, 2019Ben MK
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When it comes to LEGO, there truly is no limit to the fun one can have, save for one's own imagination. Thankfully, the master builders behind The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part — writers/producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller and director Mike Mitchell — seem to have an excellent grasp of this core concept, making this sequel just as fun and original as its predecessor. It's been 5 long years since the misguided Lord Business (Will Ferrell) attempted to use the all-powerful Kragle to impose his own brand of order on the LEGO universe, and during that time a lot has taken place. The once shiny, bustling metropolis known as Bricksburg has been reduced to dusty, post-apocalyptic ruins, earning it the new moniker Apocalypseburg; still, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Enter the marriage-minded Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi (Tiffany Haddish), ruler of the Systar System, whose army shows up out of nowhere one day, sending Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett), Unikitty (Alison Brie), Benny (Charlie Day) and the citizens of Apocalypseburg into panic mode. But even though Watevra insists she only has good intentions at heart, can she be trusted? Or does the fate of the city rest in the hands of gruff and brooding raptor trainer/space adventurer Rex Dangervest (Pratt again, doing double duty and poking fun at his roles in the Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy franchises)? For the cynically minded, what follows could arguably be called one big advertisement for LEGO's Friends and Duplo sets, as these are the primary themes that comprise the aesthetic of Queen Watevra's kingdom. However, if that is your main takeaway, then in all honestly this probably isn't the movie for you. After all, The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie and The LEGO Ninjago Movie all celebrated the toy-like nature of their subject matter, and The LEGO Movie 2 is no different. What makes these films special, though, is how the filmmakers use LEGO as a springboard for weaving in broader, more familial themes, such as how the overarching story here deals with the relationship between teenage Finn (Jadon Sand, reprising his role from the first movie) and his younger sister Bianca (The Florida Project's Brooklynn Prince). Throw in an insanely catchy soundtrack — the highlights of which are the aptly titled "Catchy Song" and the end credits tune "Super Cool" — and there really isn't anything to dislike about The LEGO Movie 2. Simply put, this is one of those rare sequels that more than lives up to the original — and that's awesome for both kids and parents alike. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part releases February 8th, 2019 from Warner Bros. Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of PG for some rude humor. Its runtime is 1 hr. 46 min. |
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