By Cameron Hawkins
The animated phenomenon “The LEGO Movie” was brought to us in 2014, mashing together numerous popular characters across different universes into one big film. One of the main characters was Batman, arguably the funniest character in the entire film due to the humorous approach the film takes with him. With the popularity of Batman in today’s culture, it was really a no-brainer to make a spin-off film starring the Caped Crusader himself. “The Lego Batman Movie” was released Feb. 10 in theaters.
Following the events of “The LEGO Movie,” Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) is back in Gotham City fighting crime, alone. As said in the film, “It must be great to be Batman,” until he realizes how lonely he really is. His trusty butler Alfred (voiced by Ralph Fiennes) tells him that he needs to stop running away from his greatest fear, starting a family. He ends up adopting an orphan named Richard “Dick” Grayson (voiced by Michael Cera).
After Dick discovers the Bat Cave in Wayne Manor he teams up with Batman as his sidekick Robin, unaware that his adoptive father Bruce Wayne and Batman are one in the same. Together they must stop the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis), who gains access to an army of infamous villains, like Sauron from Lord of the Rings, and plans to use them to destroy Gotham City.
From beginning to end “The LEGO Batman Movie” is a hilarious hit. It’s packed with humor that an audience of all ages will enjoy, not just children. Older viewers get to experience nostalgia as the film is peppered with references to past Batman films and TV episodes, from the 1966 Adam West “Batman” all the way to the most recent “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” released in 2016 and featuring Ben Affleck, as if it all has taken place in the same universe.
Not only that, the film also brings up numerous obscure Batman villains from the comics such as Condiment King, which is ridiculous in the best way possible. The movie wraps in connections to its predecessor “The LEGO Movie,” but just enough that they don’t distract from what is happening in front of you.
While “The LEGO Batman Movie” does not have the social commentary that made “The LEGO Movie” the masterpiece that it is, it teaches the importance of family values in a fun and entertaining way that will keep you smiling throughout the entirety of this picture.
Check out the trailer here:
Cameron Hawkins is a Journalism student at the University of Nevada, Reno. He hopes to have a career in Film Journalism writing about news and reviews in the industry. He is also a saxophonist who has played for 12 years and is a member of the University of Nevada Marching Band as well as the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. In his free time Cameron likes to watch movies, play video games, and read comic books.
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