The Lego Batman Movie is very much an offshoot of the Lego Movie itself - and not just because it stars one of the same characters. Where TLM managed to be goofy, thought-provoking and emotive, so too does Batman's solo project.
And make no doubt about it, this is definitely a Batman project. There are references to pretty much every single iteration of the Dark Knight, animated, live action or comic book - some as plot points, some as one-shot gags but none of them wasted. The film is in the Airplane! tradition of throwing puns, callbacks and visual jokes at the viewer almost relentlessly, with the director's background with Robot Chicken being pretty evident.
Whilst hilarious, it also manages to be genuinely moving at times, giving the dynamic between Batman and others some genuine depth. Robin, Alfred and (of course) the Joker - Batman "doesn't do relationships" but his film definitely does. This particular Batman is one of the jerkiest and most egotistic of them all but there's still pathos when the film maker's wring genuine sympathy for a lonely and confused man - who is a Lego figure in a cowl, no less.
Like it's predecessor, the film makes good use of it's Warner Bros. backing to cram in a bunch of characters from other franchises - Daleks, Gremlins and King Kong all feature and somehow in the world the film creates, this all makes sense. It's manic and madcap but never at the expense of meaning.
The animation is also fantastic. There aren't as many big building scenes as TLM but the stop motion/CGI combination is as strong as ever; I for one soon stopped seeing them as 'Lego' characters and simply as living, dynamic characters (who happened to be made of Lego.)
If I was to criticise anything, it would be that Batman can sometimes verge on being simply too much of a jerk to remain sympathetic, and there's a rapping/beatboxing joke that overstays it's welcome, but overall, an excellent film.
If you are a Batman fan, a Lego Movie fan or just want a film that will genuinely entertain all ages, this is definitely worth a watch.
Nananananana... BATMAN!!
The Lego Batman Movie is very much an offshoot of the Lego Movie itself - and not just because it stars one of the same characters. Where TLM managed to be goofy, thought-provoking and emotive, so too does Batman's solo project.
And make no doubt about it, this is definitely a Batman project. There are references to pretty much every single iteration of the Dark Knight, animated, live action or comic book - some as plot points, some as one-shot gags but none of them wasted. The film is in the Airplane! tradition of throwing puns, callbacks and visual jokes at the viewer almost relentlessly, with the director's background with Robot Chicken being pretty evident.
Whilst hilarious, it also manages to be genuinely moving at times, giving the dynamic between Batman and others some genuine depth. Robin, Alfred and (of course) the Joker - Batman "doesn't do relationships" but his film definitely does. This particular Batman is one of the jerkiest and most egotistic of them all but there's still pathos when the film maker's wring genuine sympathy for a lonely and confused man - who is a Lego figure in a cowl, no less.
Like it's predecessor, the film makes good use of it's Warner Bros. backing to cram in a bunch of characters from other franchises - Daleks, Gremlins and King Kong all feature and somehow in the world the film creates, this all makes sense. It's manic and madcap but never at the expense of meaning.
The animation is also fantastic. There aren't as many big building scenes as TLM but the stop motion/CGI combination is as strong as ever; I for one soon stopped seeing them as 'Lego' characters and simply as living, dynamic characters (who happened to be made of Lego.)
If I was to criticise anything, it would be that Batman can sometimes verge on being simply too much of a jerk to remain sympathetic, and there's a rapping/beatboxing joke that overstays it's welcome, but overall, an excellent film.
If you are a Batman fan, a Lego Movie fan or just want a film that will genuinely entertain all ages, this is definitely worth a watch.