MOVIE REVIEW: On the surface Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s latest release The Lego Movie is nothing more than a clever advertisement.
Straight out of the opening sequence audiences are treated to a block world that mimics stop motion animation while adding flow and depth with CGI.
This gives the impression that everything within the film can be reproduced using real Lego pieces, although much of which would require multiple trips to the nearest toy store.
But Lord and Miller, the brains behind Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, have created a vibrant, overwhelming colourful and at times gut-wrenchingly accurate vision into why the humble toy blocks have had a real impact on the childhoods of so many.
The greatest achievement of a children’s movie is whether adults will receive as much enjoyment from the viewing as the younger target audience.
While much of the plot centres on slap-stick humour, frequent action and positive messaging common to the genre, there is a layered depth to The Lego Movie that gives each generation something to think about.
Main character Emmett, voiced by Chris Pratt, is an ordinary rule-following construction worker in a world where Everything Is Awesome is the theme song.
We quickly discover that the seemingly always happy, extremely efficient society is actually under the control of an evil tyrant called Mr President Business, voiced by Will Ferrell.
While a kid might see Mr President Business’s world as one that needs saving, with chosen one Emmett the one do it, it becomes obvious to any adult viewing that the tightly controlled world is not so unlike our own.
Everyone goes to work each day, buys the same expensive coffee, listens to the same pop music and watches the same repetitive television shows.
But the view into our own lives doesn’t darken an altogether happy film, it enhances the experience.
As a rag-tag group of heroes plucked straight from all corners of popular culture assist Emmett on his mission to dethrone a tyrant, it feels as if the whole thing is orchestrated straight out of an over-active imagination.
Ultimately the film’s big twist brings take-home messages for both age camps.
Adults are encouraged to embrace their inner child and give up some control of their lives, while kids are told to embrace their uniqueness and be creative.
There is a strong sense that buying and building with Lego is the way to do that, but by the time the credits start rolling the afterglow of a vibrant adventure has already superseded any possible ill-feelings.