Mini review: The LEGO Movie (2D)

Released: Out now on DVD/ Blu-Ray/ on demand

Certificate: U

Directors: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Cast: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman

It is always a good plan to be suspicious of films with a high merchandise potential. A film based in a world of toys? Toys from one specific brand? Red flag. Happily, The LEGO Movie transcends its marketing-friendly format, embracing the fact that its main characters are toys so wholeheartedly and with such subversive ingenuity, it’s easy to cast cynicism aside and be hypnotised by the kaleidoscopic adventure that unfurls as the film progresses. A cast of skilled voice actors, including the ubiquitous Chris Pratt as blank-slate construction worker Emmett, mesh with stunning animation and an engaging story. The humour, too, is spot on: jokes fly like confetti and there’s plenty of slapstick for those who don’t care for puns. If the film is let down by anything, it’s a fairly run of the mill romantic subplot which feels flat in a narrative that works hard to be original.

Verdict: 4/5

[Image credit: http://www.thelegomovie.com]