Movie Review: ‘THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE’ – a master build

Connor Bynum // Film Critic

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
Rated PG, 104 minutes.
Director: Chris McKay
Cast: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Siri, Zach Galifianakis and Jenny Slate

When we take a look at the ever-growing cultural obsession with comic book movies and combine that with Hollywood producers’ apparent determination to relentlessly capitalize on successful films with sequels and spin-offs galore, it shouldn’t be that surprising that THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is a thing. Fortunately for said producers and audiences alike, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is a delightful outing and stands as a devoted love letter to fans of the Caped Crusader, both young and old.

After stealing the show in 2014’s THE LEGO MOVIE as a supporting character, Will Arnett returns to reprise the role of our titular hero and, thankfully, never crosses the line between charmingly obnoxious and outright annoying. Newcomers to the franchise include Ralph Fiennes (THE AVENGERS, not the good one) as the world’s most underpaid butler, Alfred Pennyworth; Rosario Dawson (THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH) as Gotham City’s idealistic new police commissioner Barbara Gordon; and Michael Cera (YEAR ONE) as the endearingly naive sidekick Robin. Robin never fails to win the audience over with his adorably wide eyes and genuine sincerity throughout the film. Another standout character is The Joker, voiced by Zach Galifianakis (THE HANGOVER PART II) who seems more obsessed with being Batman’s main love hate interest than he is with actually defeating him. This dynamic is mostly hilarious, yet can end up feeling a little forced by the time the credits roll.

The opening 10 minutes of the film feature more fan service and references to Batman lore than conceivably possible, accompanied by the charmingly self-aware sense of humor from the previous film. The Joker decides to round up every imaginable bad guy Batman has ever fought in an elaborate attempt to destroy Gotham City once and for all. However, Gotham locals seem to have grown bored with the Clown Prince’s numerous attempts at criminal masterworks, as everyone knows that Batman will always show up to save the day once more, which of course is exactly what happens. Feeling like the king of Gotham, Batman returns to his outrageously large mansion to be welcomed home by… nobody. We quickly learn that underneath the cowl adored by the world, Bruce Wayne is an incredibly lonely guy.

Despite being comprised entirely of plastic construction blocks, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE offers what is arguably one of the most fascinating explorations of Batman’s humanity. It is no secret that Bruce Wayne has always come with emotional baggage, yet in nearly all previous Batman films the familiar themes of emotional (as well as physical) isolation are often barely touched upon if at all. By directly addressing these ideas, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE proves to have far greater emotional depth than expected.

While not without the occasional misstep, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE ends up being the sequel we didn’t expect, as well as the Batman film we didn’t know we needed.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE opens nationwide on Friday, Feb. 10.