MOVIE OF THE WEEK #1: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
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| "All right – we're gonna totally act like Marvel isn't gonna see this and wanna make a LEGO® version of their main movie guys and gals, too!" Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) and Robin (voiced by Michael Cera) descend into danger in a scene from THE LEGO® BATMAN MOVIE. Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2017 Warner Bros. Entertainment and Ratpac Dune Entertainment LLC. |
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
KEY VOICE CAST MEMBERS: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Zach Galifianakis, Jenny Slate, Channing Tatum, Zoë Kravitz, Jonah Hill, Jermaine Clement, Hector Elizondo ... And too many others in cameos.
WRITER(S): Seth Grahame-Smith and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers and Jared Stern & John Whittington (screenplay); story by Seth Grahame-Smith; Bob Kane with Bill Finger; Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (characters created by on which the film is based)
DIRECTOR(S): Chris McKay
DIRECTOR(S): Chris McKay
WEB SITE: http://www.legobatman.com/
HERE'S THE STORY: An original tale that combines all of the Batman standards into one original piece, The LEGO® Batman Movie finds our favorite caped crusader doing what he does best: Saving Gotham City from yet another attack and reveling in the accolades that follow. But with Commissioner Gordon (Hector Elizondo) retiring and the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) planning his biggest attack yet to takeover the city, Batman doesn't have much time enjoy his latest triumph.
Even if he doesn't seem to get it that just about everyone else around him is kind of getting a little tired of him being a bit of a jerk.
Sure, he's "cool" with Superman (voiced by Channing Tatum) and his fellow Justice League friends ... But just how cool remains to be seen. His loyal butler Alfred (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) does his best to console him, but the man also known as Bruce Wayne is a bit of pill when he's in costume, acting more like a spoiled brat than a crime fighter at home. And Barbara Gordon (voiced by Rosario Dawson), a.k.a. the new police commissioner, is excited to work with Batman ... Until she sees how much of a pain that may end up being. Dick Grayson (voiced by Michael Cera), an orphan, however, sees nothing but good in Batman. For the Dark Knight is his hero, after all, and hopes that one day, he just might be adopted by him.
So, what happens when the Joker sets out to teach Batman – who is steadfast in his belief he doesn't need anyone – a lesson in what a relationship is all about and why Batman needs him in his life? Something that might just teach our would-be hero a thing or two about teamwork, relationships and the value of having a good friend or two.
HERE'S THE STORY: An original tale that combines all of the Batman standards into one original piece, The LEGO® Batman Movie finds our favorite caped crusader doing what he does best: Saving Gotham City from yet another attack and reveling in the accolades that follow. But with Commissioner Gordon (Hector Elizondo) retiring and the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) planning his biggest attack yet to takeover the city, Batman doesn't have much time enjoy his latest triumph.
Even if he doesn't seem to get it that just about everyone else around him is kind of getting a little tired of him being a bit of a jerk.
Sure, he's "cool" with Superman (voiced by Channing Tatum) and his fellow Justice League friends ... But just how cool remains to be seen. His loyal butler Alfred (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) does his best to console him, but the man also known as Bruce Wayne is a bit of pill when he's in costume, acting more like a spoiled brat than a crime fighter at home. And Barbara Gordon (voiced by Rosario Dawson), a.k.a. the new police commissioner, is excited to work with Batman ... Until she sees how much of a pain that may end up being. Dick Grayson (voiced by Michael Cera), an orphan, however, sees nothing but good in Batman. For the Dark Knight is his hero, after all, and hopes that one day, he just might be adopted by him.
So, what happens when the Joker sets out to teach Batman – who is steadfast in his belief he doesn't need anyone – a lesson in what a relationship is all about and why Batman needs him in his life? Something that might just teach our would-be hero a thing or two about teamwork, relationships and the value of having a good friend or two.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? People who like Batman; people who will appreciate the film's irreverent take on its central character; adults who will appreciate the sly, mature humor and little kids who will like the upbeat, positive nature of the film.
WHO WON'T (OR SHOULDN'T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People that can't buy into the concept; those who didn't find The LEGO® Movie entertaining; anyone suffering from Batman burnout
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film made for children but really geared for adults (and Batman enthusiasts, especially), The LEGO® Batman Movie delivers a great mix of smart comedy, self-effacing humor and a positive message for kids without doing any disservice to D.C. Comics' most successful franchise player.
Will Arnett does a phenomenal job - no, seriously - at capturing all the angst and pent up frustration Batman has given his orphan/loner nature ... And at the same time making fun of the extremes to which it can – and has – manifested itself in the character's on-screen life. At one moment, Batman is being heroic, at another, he's being a big jerk that can't seem to realize how he's coming off to everyone around him, both those that love him and those that love to hate him. Self-effacing and self-aggrandizing at the same time, Arnett pokes fun at all of the trademark Batman ideals (the gravel voice, the taking himself super serious at all times, his jealously of Superman and his past films) while at the same time doing so in a respectful fashion where the joke is on him rather than he being the joke.
Adding to the mix are strong performances by Galifianakis, Fiennes, Dawson and, in particular, Cera, the latter making the most out of his role as representing everything that Batman should be and the driving force to become a better person and hero. Cera's bright eyed performance is captured perfectly in his voice and animated just as well under the eye of director Chris McKay. McKay uses the confines of a LEGO® world to great comedic effect; while not as relying heavily on the bricks as much as the eponymous LEGO® Movie itself, he makes sure the battle sequences come off as action intense as needed with a sense of mirth underneath, the secondary characters add panache and the story wraps itself up in a simple yet fitting fashion.
If nothing else, The LEGO® Batman Movie more than makes up for any the disappointing Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice film while stacking up quite nicely with the other Batman films, pun fully intended.
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? A film made for children but really geared for adults (and Batman enthusiasts, especially), The LEGO® Batman Movie delivers a great mix of smart comedy, self-effacing humor and a positive message for kids without doing any disservice to D.C. Comics' most successful franchise player.
Will Arnett does a phenomenal job - no, seriously - at capturing all the angst and pent up frustration Batman has given his orphan/loner nature ... And at the same time making fun of the extremes to which it can – and has – manifested itself in the character's on-screen life. At one moment, Batman is being heroic, at another, he's being a big jerk that can't seem to realize how he's coming off to everyone around him, both those that love him and those that love to hate him. Self-effacing and self-aggrandizing at the same time, Arnett pokes fun at all of the trademark Batman ideals (the gravel voice, the taking himself super serious at all times, his jealously of Superman and his past films) while at the same time doing so in a respectful fashion where the joke is on him rather than he being the joke.
Adding to the mix are strong performances by Galifianakis, Fiennes, Dawson and, in particular, Cera, the latter making the most out of his role as representing everything that Batman should be and the driving force to become a better person and hero. Cera's bright eyed performance is captured perfectly in his voice and animated just as well under the eye of director Chris McKay. McKay uses the confines of a LEGO® world to great comedic effect; while not as relying heavily on the bricks as much as the eponymous LEGO® Movie itself, he makes sure the battle sequences come off as action intense as needed with a sense of mirth underneath, the secondary characters add panache and the story wraps itself up in a simple yet fitting fashion.
If nothing else, The LEGO® Batman Movie more than makes up for any the disappointing Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice film while stacking up quite nicely with the other Batman films, pun fully intended.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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