Rebuilding childhood memories

“The Lego Movie” conjures nostalgia in the modern era with entertainment for all

Noah Betz-Richman & Ladan Abdi

Colorful plastic bricks may sit in a tub in many attics, but now they are given life on the big screen in the newly released “The Lego Movie.”
With a surprisingly profound storyline, a star-studded cast and beautiful visuals, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the creators of “21 Jump Street” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” give the lifeless blocks a voice of their own.
Despite its PG rating, the movie is far from childish and contains references that appeal to an older audience such as the line, “He’s coming, cover your butts.” With constant action, humor, and visual effects, the movie is nonstop fun for all ages.
The movie centers around Emmet (Chris Pratt), a seemingly ordinary man who finds a magical object called the Piece of Resistance. Soon after, he is found by the Masterbuilders, who teach him the ways of building and help him understand his destiny.
Their goal is to stop President Business (Will Ferrell), the dictator of the universe, from freezing everyone and everything in place with his weapon, the Kragle.
After countless twists and turns comes a hilarious and witty surprise ending that will leave audiences of all ages stunned.
Featuring all-star cast members such as Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Channing Tatum and Will Arnett, “The Lego Movie” gives a voice to the familiar childhood friends.
Hearing these big celebrities personified as animated LEGO characters brought a smile to almost every person in the theater, young and old.
Among the stellar cast, Ferrell’s portrayal of President Business was particularly enjoyable, because of his witty one-liners and genuine hilarity.
Those who remember waking up early to open a new LEGO set, tear apart the plastic packaging, and completely ignore the directions letting their imagination run free will appreciate the emphasis the movie places on creativity.
With old-school references to LEGO characters such as Spaceman Benny from the 1980s, audiences will feel nostalgia and fond memories as they watch the movie.
In addition to the stellar plot and characterization, the movie is visually stunning. Using an innovative combination of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and stop-motion animation, the visuals combine the cutting edge of animated technology while remaining true to the origins of Lego-based animation.
The use of stop-motion maintains the visceral feeling of playing with the plastic bricks, while the virtually limitless potential of CGI opens up boundless creativity and imagination.
Though many may have long ago packed up or sold their LEGO sets to a new generation of lucky children, viewers should rebuild this link to their childhood and enjoy “The Lego Movie.”
However, the movie offers so much more than just a nostalgic experience. The all-star cast, compelling plot and brilliant visuals show gems can be found amidst a pile of plastic bricks.