Movie: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Voice Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill
Cast: Maya Rudolph, Jadon Sand, Brooklynn Prince
Director: Mike Mitchell
Genre: Animation-adventure
Duration: 1 hrs 46 min
Story:
Five years after the DUPLO's enter the Lego world, we meet Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), who is still a ray of sunshine in the face of everything, and his girlfriend Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) who in the post-apocalyptic Apocalypseburg has evolved to be a war-hardened soul. In this Mad Max-style set-up, Emmet is still hoping to build a life for Lucy and himself. Lego Batman (Will Arnett), UniKitty (Brie Larson), Metalbeard (Nick Offerman), and Benny (Charlie Day) follow Lucy's lead to fight when DUPLO's General Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) comes to kidnap them. These hostages then are forced to partake in the wedding of Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi (Tiffany Haddish) who will do anything to marry the ever so reluctant Batman. The responsibility of saving his friends falls on the square shoulders of Emmet who now has to succumb to change and grow up.
Review:
For the entirety of the movie, two things lingered in the mind of yours truly.
1. Where is the wit and charm of Lego movies?
2. Why does it feel like the plot of Toy Story 3?
The Lego Movie, the first part of this animation franchise was a genius comedy coupled with a message of positivity. The Lego Movie 2 has a message about growing up and adapting to change, but the sparky wit is sorely missing. The animation that is the USP of the previous Lego movies feels tired and repetitive here.
The Lego universe movies are known for their gags and jokes. While the cast is filled with actors who are known for their comedic timing, it's the mediocre writing that lets them down. Pratt pulls double duty as Emmet and his mentor Rex Dangervest and maintains energy levels for both the characters. But Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett's gravelly Dark Knight, and Brie Larson are underutilised talents. There is nothing more predictable in the movie than the dialogues for Tiffany Haddish.
The live-action reveal of the first movie was a moving moment. It was the cherry on top of great storytelling. The Lego Movie 2 exploits emotions attached to the live-action storyline to such an extent that it feels illogical and more of a hindrance in an imaginary movie about Lego bricks.
The Lego Movie's anthem, 'Everything Is Awesome' by Tegan and Sara, is still an earworm. But the ironically named 'This song is gonna get stuck inside your head' from The Lego Movie 2 didn't take long to forget.
The funnies come with Bruce Willis' cameo and hat tip to Die Hard's vent scene; DC Superheroes taking a dig at their live-action counterparts (pay close attention to Jason Momoa's Aquaman who seems to have recycled his Justice League script); US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg as the member of a bridal party, and a few more pop cultural references. That's about it.
Verdict:
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part limits itself by being predictable and not growing up as it should have.
Critic's rating: 2.5/5
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 "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part")
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