A good build

The Lego Movie stands as 2014’s biggest and most welcomed surprise thus far.

Fast paced, frequently hilarious and visually fun, it’s the sort of movie we’ve come to expect from Pixar every time, one that appeals to both kids and adults on many levels. It’s also notable that it isn’t a Pixar film, but a product of the still formidable but inconsistent Warner Brothers animation wing.

Sure, it’s a big commercial for Lego toys, but the Lego product placement is more of a sly wink than a hammer over the head. I’m more offended by a frequently placed Subway sandwich in an Adam Sandler movie than the constant presence of Legos in this one. Lego has developed its own universe over the years, especially with its video games, so I never felt like I was watching a commercial, even though it is a commercial, in a way, if that makes any sense.

Here’s a movie that isn’t content to throw a joke here and there with hopes of intermittent laughter. Nope, Lego hurls jokes at you with breakneck speed to go with its super kinetic visuals. Sure, it stops to take a breath every now and then, but much of this movie is at light speed.

The voice talent is a who’s who of subversive humor, including Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, Will Forte, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Jonah Hill and Charlie Day. It also has Morgan Freeman as a God-like character, one who is given some of the movie’s greatest lines. It’s co-written and directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the guys who did Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and the decidedly non-kid-friendly 21 Jump Street.

The plot follows Emmet (Pratt), a “generic” builder as he goes about his homogenized life, building structures under strict deadlines, listening to the same song (Tegan and Sara’s terrific “Everything is Awesome”) every minute of the day, and following the rules of the powerful President Business (Ferrell). President Business demands conformity in a decidedly socialistic way, but he keeps everybody at bay by promising Taco Tuesdays.

Things change instantly when Emmet meets Wyldstyle (Banks), who reveals to Emmet that he’s living in a pre-programmed world, and there’s the possibility for real life beyond its walls (echoes of The Matrix and Terry Gilliam’s Brazil). Emmet joins forces with Wildstyle and her extremely cool boyfriend, Batman (Arnett), to take down the establishment and restore freewill.

I confess to being totally blindsided by the ending, which warmed my heart in a way on a level with Pixar’s Up and Toy Story. Without giving anything away, it’s brilliant, ingenious, and wholly satisfying. It also manages to tie the whole movie together in a way that’s beautifully mindboggling.

There are terrific cameos along the way, including members of the Star Wars universe, other heroes from the Justice League, Gandalf and more. Liam Neeson is killer funny as Bad Cop/Good Cop and even his father, Pa Cop, constantly breaking and kicking things. He’s this movie’s Darth Vader to Ferrell’s Emperor.

The film relishes random humor. At one point, a cowboy in a saloon asks quite earnestly, “Are zeppelins a good investment?” I laughed out loud to an extent that was a little embarrassing. Arnett’s Batman is arguably a screen Batman on par with Christian Bale and Michael Keaton. Stick around for the credits, and Arnett’s Batman theme, “Untitled Self Portrait,” which repeatedly touches upon Batman’s dead parents and penchant for dark things.

The Lego Movie is a bit exhausting at times, but at least the constant stream of activity is laced with super intelligence rather than bombastic, vapid visuals. It’s a cliché, but I’ll say it: “Fun for the whole family!” OK, sorry to be so cookie-cutter here, but it’s totally true.