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The Lego Movie
Genre: Comedy, Action, Western Animation
Release Date: 2014
Source of film: This film was acquired independently by the Reviewer.
TL;DR: The Lego Movie mixes creativity, teamwork, and deeper emotional themes. But it’s best for older audiences who can appreciate its themes, references, and fast pacing.
Introduction: Building A Movie Analysis
The Lego Movie is an animated film that captured the imagination of both kids and adults alike. I was one of them, who saw the movie in cinemas during its initial release. Over time I have returned to the movie again and again, appreciating its humour and story each time. This review is a bit of a different style for me to do. However, I wanted to conduct a deep analysis of the themes of this movie and why it continues to hold up.
This The Lego Movie review will explore the movie’s core themes of creativity, teamwork, and family bonds. I’ll also be analyzing its fast-paced writing style and effectiveness as a family movie.
The Lego Movie Storyline & Plot: Creativity and Family Themes Explored
At its heart, The Lego Movie tackles the age-old conflict between creativity and conformity. The world Emmet, the main character, inhabits is one where following the rules and fitting into a pre-made structure is the norm. This theme of creativity versus “following the rules” is central to the plot. Emmet is a perfect instruction follower at the start of the movie and is reluctantly thrown into a rebel plot. Throughout the movie, the importance of creativity is emphasized.
But it’s not just about being creative for the sake of it. Another key message that might go unnoticed by many is that even creatives need to work together. It’s not enough to have wild ideas; you need to unite visions and collaborate. The Master Builders that Emmet meets are wildly artistic and creative across many areas. Benny the Space Guy is great with ‘80s tech. Unikitty is sparkles and rainbows. Batman only works in black (and sometimes, very very dark grey). They don’t meet in the middle and instead pursue their own separate interests.
Emmet’s character, though seen as less creative than others, actually brings everyone together through teamwork. The movie presents a rare take on leadership—where combining other people’s ideas is just as valuable as having the original idea yourself. For those readers familiar with the Human Design framework, Emmet is a good example of a Projector who is able to channel the energy and talents of the Generators and Manifesting Generators around him.
Additionally, the father-son bond explored in the film brings a more emotional layer to the storyline. It subtly critiques the often emotionally unavailable father figure. This theme resonates, making the movie feel relevant for adults. Especially those who may see their own familial relationships reflected in the story. I’ll delve into this theme in more detail in a future The Lego Movie review follow-up, as this is a common theme of the extended Lego Movie cinematic universe.
Characters: Leadership and The Importance of Teamwork
For my The Lego Movie review I will focus primarily on the three most prominent characters; Emmet, Lucy, and Vitruvius.
Emmet is an often-overlooked hero in animated film history. He is not the stereotypical strong, charismatic leader. Instead, he is someone who learns how to unite others and combine their creative talents to achieve a common goal. His willingness to collaborate, listen, and incorporate ideas is what makes him such a pivotal character. Emmet shows that true leadership doesn’t always come from individual brilliance. It can come from harnessing the strengths of others.
Emmet has always been a character I loved, but my appreciation for him has strengthened over time. He is a great example of a leader, as once he believes in himself he has strong internal strength. He inspires others and has strong values of working hard and loyalty.
Wyldstyle/Lucy, on the other hand, presents a different view of leadership and, perhaps unintentionally, critiques contemporary feminism. Lucy struggles with her deep insecurities about wanting to be the hero and often has trouble stepping aside to trust others. Especially those she perceives as less competent—like Emmet. Her rigid views on leadership and masculinity clash with Emmet’s collaborative approach. While Lucy’s arc is about her learning to trust Emmet, it could also be seen as a subtle comment on feminism. Feminists like Lucy sometimes struggle with accepting different forms of leadership. However, as those familiar with the sequel know, Lucy continues to struggle with this concept in the future.
Vitruvius, the wise old man, fits the archetype of the “mentor” seen in many films, but with a twist. His character seems to oscillate between being incredibly wise and simply playing along. Is he a brilliant genius who leads Emmet to greatness, or a blind and confused old man? He seems to be both and leans into whatever serves the plot best at that time. The comic interaction between Vitruvius, Gandalf, and Dumbledore—two other iconic “wise old men”—shows that his character intentionally pokes fun at these archetypes.
The other characters, such as Batman, Unikitty, Metalbeard, and Benny all serve as a mixture of fun and meaning. All have their notable moment where they shine, as well as bring their fair share of jokes.
The Lego Movie’s Writing Style & Effectiveness: Fast, Quippy, and Loaded with References
One of the defining traits of The Lego Movie is its frantic pace. The first half of the movie, in particular, moves so quickly that it can be hard for younger viewers to grasp everything happening on screen. There’s constant movement, color, and dialogue, making it a bit overwhelming at times.
For adults, this pacing can still be a bit of a challenge. Even as someone who enjoys fast-paced films, I found myself needing to focus intently to keep up with all the jokes and plot developments. Many jokes in the film are heavily reference-based and require prior knowledge to fully appreciate. For example, the interactions between Batman and the other characters are often parodies of well-known Batman tropes, which may go over the heads of younger viewers.
However, the best jokes are often simple, visual gags that play on the nature of Lego itself. Jokes like “We need to connect the wheel to something that spins around” are the ones that stick with you. Or, Emmet’s hilariously bad cowboy impression. These moments showcase the film’s silliness and embrace the playful nature of Lego as a product.
Conclusion: A Great Animated Film Best Suited for Older Audiences
The Lego Movie is undoubtedly one of the best animated films of the last decade. But it’s a movie that might be best appreciated by older children, teens, and adults. Younger audiences may enjoy the colors and fast-paced action, but they’re likely to miss out on the more complex jokes and deeper themes. I was a teen when I first saw this movie, and so I was able to appreciate many of the jokes and references. This made it easier to write my The Lego Movie review as an adult.
For viewers who are able to pick up on its multi-layered storytelling, The Lego Movie offers an insightful critique of creativity, leadership, and familial relationships. Emmet’s character shows the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Lucy offers a subtle commentary on modern views of gender roles. And the father-son dynamic at the center adds emotional depth to the film. Overall, it’s a great movie that balances humor, heart, and smart storytelling.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars