The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish
Directed by:
Rated: PG
It’s time to return to the world of The Lego Movie, where everything is awesome! Well, is it just awesome the second time around?
In The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, the town of Bricksburg is suddenly destroyed by unknown alien legos. It turns into a shell of the city it once was and becomes an apocalyptic wasteland. Emmett (Chris Pratt) remains a cheerful optimist who’s always able to find the positive side in every situation. Just like his favorite song says, Everything is Awesome! But his friends Lucy, Batman, and Unikitty have become jaded by the destruction of their town. When a mysterious invader attacks and kidnaps his friends, Emmett has to fight to save them in a new part of the lego world. Can he do it?
I’m happy to report: The Lego Movie 2 lives up to the original! What I love so much about the film is the off-the-wall humor full of wit and pop culture references. Screenwriters Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have built such a vibrant world filled with hilarious animated characters so full of life and personality. There’s Emmett (Chris Pratt), the positive builder who sees the best in everyone, Batman (Will Arnett), the egomaniac who wants everyone to recognize his greatness, and Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), the brains of the group. There are a few new characters this time around, including Queen Waterva Wa’Nabi (Tiffany Haddish), a shape-shifting queen who gets people to agree to her seemingly evil plans by giving them anything they want. Then there’s Rex Dangervest (Chris Pratt again), a space traveler/dinosaur trainer who attempts to show Emmett how to be tougher.
The world in The Lego Movie is pretty whimsical. In the sequel, the filmmakers work with an apocalyptic land, space, and a massive scale suburban neighborhood. Each set transitions into the next seamlessly and brings impressive, vibrant images.
You know I love a good musical number. The Lego movie succeeds in giving its audience several clever and memorable musical numbers. It’s impossible not to have fun with “Catchy Song,” which will be stuck in your head for days after you see the movie. “Everything’s Not Awesome” highlights the importance of managing your expectations while still participating in activities. Also, stick around after the film for the most enthusiastic end credits song you’ll ever hear.
Beneath the humor and catchy music, there’s an important message at the heart of The Lego Movie 2. We need to think of others before ourselves and learn how to work together. That’s something we all need to hear.
The Lego Movie 2 is a hilarious and fun adventure that people of all ages can enjoy!
My Rating: 8/10
*All images belong to Warner Brothers Pictures