# The Lego Movie
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 24, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652 "2014-01-24T23:56:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/41 "2014-02-10T00:38:21Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#):
>
> Took my family to see it today based on all stellar reviews. It really wasn’t anything special to be honest. Even my ten years old son, who has about one million Legos didn’t think the movie was overly entertaining. I will say that it doesn’t feel like a 2 hour commercial though.
>
> I’ll be curious to see if they put out kits specifically for this movie considering the entire movie revolves are not needing instructions and building what you want how you want.
THats not what the movie is about - the movie is about doing it ‘both ways’ - its also about the dad being strict, the kid wanting to play, etc. Remember, [spoiler]it was “the special” in the end that figured out how to beat lord business was by “following the instructions because he wouldn’t expect that” - in some sense, it was the kid also growing up (maturing) just a tad to realize what dad needed to see.
The kid is trying to play in legoland, but “lord business” (his dad) doesn’t want him to mess up ‘dad’s things’. Dad’s creativity is in following the rules and buying coffee - and the kid is left out - or left to play in the corner alone with the “rejects” (that’s how the kid sees it)
Beyond that - theres a ‘not so subtle’ undertone in the “everything is awesome” song - and that is the kid is constantly having to pretend that everything is awesome in order to keep dad “happy” - the pink unicat thing is the kids personality of “always pretend to be happy and keep things shoved down until you explode” - the other half of that, of course - is that is exactly what the dad is likely doing as well - pretending everything is awesome while he deals with life (his escape is in building the intricate sets as models, not playing adventures within them).[/spoiler]
It’s not a commercial in the sense that there is alot of complexity to the movie - yeah, lego’s are cool, but htey really don’t need a commercial these days to sell them - and had they ended the movie without the live action bits - yeah - it would be a big commercial - but its the live action bits that finally let it all make a bit more sense.
Great movie, lots of layers - and hey “first try - everytime”
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### Author:  [@Boggette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boggette)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/42 "2014-02-10T00:50:11Z")
Saw it with my girls yesterday. I enjoyed it but look forward more to getting it on DVD so I can pause! There were so many things I missed because they flew by so fast.
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### Author:  [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/43 "2014-02-10T01:46:58Z")
**Simster** –Way to spoil the movie, dude.
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#):
>
> They used some visual effects like smoke and fire but every set is made of individual bricks and has realistic physics (bricks don’t bend, for example).
Most of the fire was made of those Lego flame pieces. I found that utterly charming, as I love the flame pieces and add them on to things whenever I get the chance.
> [@Shakes](#):
>
> The movie does look good but I don’t see what the added value is of making them look like Legos.
>
> Is the fact that they are Legos somehow germane to the story line?
As explained above, it is germane. But it’s also great fun to see all the bits that I’m always stepping on starring in a movie. “oh yeah, that piece!” Also, Lego stop-motion videos are hugely popular. You can find some incredible creations on youtube. It only makes sense to tap into that.
> [@Cubsfan](#):
>
> I’ll be curious to see if they put out kits specifically for this movie considering the entire movie revolves are not needing instructions and building what you want how you want.
I’m not sure how you got that. The movie wasn’t against following instructions. It was against ONLY following instructions and not doing anything creative. Having seen my kid build and tear down a ton of Lego sets, I see great value in his learning to follow the building instructions, especially since some are extremely complex. He feels a great sense of accomplishment in having turned all those little bits into the thing pictured on the box. After a day or so of admiring his work, he knocks it all apart and uses the pieces to build yet another…
SPACESHIP!!!
One of the joys of Legos is the way they allow both structured and unstructured play. I hope they do come out with some sets for the movie. Cloud Cuckooland would be ridiculous fun. Especially if it includes Abraham Lincoln, Wonder Woman, Michelangelo, and Michelangelo.
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### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/44 "2014-02-10T02:57:39Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#):
>
> **Simster** –Way to spoil the movie, dude.
doh! wasn’t even thinking - think its a fantastic movie!
Thanks Marley for covering my mistake.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/45 "2014-02-10T03:04:12Z")
> [@lorene](#):
>
> Because it’s a movie about Lego? That’s the weirdest objection I’ve ever heard.
>
> I liked the movie a lot. The mispronunciation of every day objects in order to elevate them was really charming to me (the scepter of q-teep).
You’re taking my quote out of context. It wasn’t an objection. I was just asking for some insight.
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### Author:  [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/46 "2014-02-10T04:04:24Z")
> [@Shakes](#):
>
> You’re taking my quote out of context. It wasn’t an objection. I was just asking for some insight.
Maybe we have different definitions, then. If my boss told me that she didn’t see the added value to my proposal, I’d consider it an objection.
Either way, your question was answered and I hope you do see it, if that’s of interest to you. I (and my Lego fanatic kids) enjoyed it.
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/47 "2014-02-10T05:11:08Z")
Everything is awesome!: [Everything Is Awesome - Lyric Video - Lego Movie- Tegan and Sara feat. The Lonely Island - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6lHm-stXdM)
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### Author:  [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/48 "2014-02-10T07:48:06Z")
So that song encourages Communism?
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### Author:  [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/49 "2014-02-10T08:16:07Z")
I liked it, it was good, but not great IMO. My main complaint is actually similar to Wreck-it Ralph: I wish they had visited a few more different universes, and it was a little bit too long.
Also, I felt a bit bummed by the message of the movie since I’ve ALWAYS been a “follow the instructions, and stop there” type person. After that I would just play with it or put it on the shelf. Never had the knack for mixing it together into new things.
LEGO Batman was definitely the best part, though. Absolutely hilarious. “I wrote a song about how I’m an orphan! I’m dark and brooding!”
I definitely liked the “twist” with it all being the child’s plot, and having Will Ferrell be a real-life dad. Tugged the heartstrings a little.
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### Author:  [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/50 "2014-02-10T11:39:30Z")
I agree that it felt alot like wreck it Ralph.
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/51 "2014-02-10T14:09:26Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#):
>
> Also, I felt a bit bummed by the message of the movie since I’ve ALWAYS been a “follow the instructions, and stop there” type person. After that I would just play with it or put it on the shelf. Never had the knack for mixing it together into new things.
I did when I was younger, but most of my creations were of the double-decker couch varity. As I’ve gotten older I’ve liked the model sets, but would trick them out. In the man/boy cave at home, Lego Gandolf is flying a Sopwith Camel, and Batman is driving a train.
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### Author:  [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/52 "2014-02-10T16:46:58Z")
I liked it, didn’t love it.
Seems like they catered it more towards people who are familiar with legos but haven’t really looked at them in a few years.
Having a 7 year-old boy I’ve been in lego overload mode for the past 4 years. Legoland Florida, all the Lego video games, lego dvd shows, Lego store Mall of America, and a trip down the Lego aisle at Target probably once a week.
The movie seemed to be in some kind of Lego alternate universe with the made up “lands” where Lego already had plenty of it’s own “lands” to explore. Ninjago, Chima, Monster Fighters, Hero Factory, Lego City, etc.
Either the writers aren’t familiar with the current gen of Lego, they didn’t want to use the current gen of Lego, or Lego told them not to use any of their current stuff.
The “Dad” made stuff was kind of ambiguous also. They made a point of showing that building to the plan required follwing the instructions. But the dad stuff seemed to be stuff he designed and built himself. Pretty sure there’s no kit for giant business tower.
So the movie on it’s own was cute, funny, good. However it never really hit the marks connecting to the current Lego universe that’s out there.
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### Author:  [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/53 "2014-02-10T16:55:52Z")
Yeah, I wonder if they purposely stayed away from current toy lines though they did show a green ninja and had a bunch of other stuff thrown here and there. They did have current DC superheroes – it was made by WB studios so getting DC heroes would be easy, I presume.
I liked the movie a lot but I didn’t love it. My wife loved it but she’s gay for Will Ferrell. I thought the movie did a good job of showing us the different worlds and tying it all together with the message they were delivering. If the movie was not as good, the message would have seemed crass and cynical to me.
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### Author:  [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/54 "2014-02-10T17:58:56Z")
Saw it Saturday with my wife & our 8 year old and we all loved it.
The audience broke out in applause when the credits started - I haven’t been to a film in a long time where that happened.
We got some minifigs from the movie as a gift for our son - we got Mexican Emmett and Good Cop / Bad Cop (with “drawn on” good Cop face!).
One thing that would’ve made it perfect:
If, during the final battle, the Millennium Falcon had saved the day just like in Star Wars (“You’re all clear, kid, now let’s blow this thing and go home”), I think I would have just freaked out.
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/55 "2014-02-10T18:36:36Z")
> [@Labtrash](#):
>
> One thing that would’ve made it perfect:
>
> If, during the final battle, the Millennium Falcon had saved the day just like in Star Wars (“You’re all clear, kid, now let’s blow this thing and go home”), I think I would have just freaked out.
Hard to do that without a Hyperdrive.
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### Author:  [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/56 "2014-02-10T19:53:24Z")
We just got back from it and we enjoyed it, but I wasn’t particularly knocked out in the way that reviews suggested I might be. But boy is that Tegan And Sara song going to be stuck in my head for a while.
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### Author:  [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)
#### Post date: [February 15, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/57 "2014-02-15T22:08:58Z")
> [@Hampshire](#):
>
> So the movie on it’s own was cute, funny, good. However it never really hit the marks connecting to the current Lego universe that’s out there.
My 9 year old daughter and I just got back from seeing it. She has legos, but is not big on playing with them, I liked playing with them as a kid, but was never extraordinarily creative. (Maybe because my brothers took over everything.) We have enjoyed the Lego Ninjago tv show, although we don’t watch frequently.
We loved the movie. I liked that it didn’t connect to the current lego universe in any specific way, and I loved that a lot of the pieces that were shown up close, had wear marks on them as if they’d been played with alot. I like that the worlds were a bit more generic, and older. It made it feel more interchangeable. It reminded me of playing with my brother’s Lincoln Logs and Matchbox cars.
My favorite part:
We’re from Planet Duplo. We’re here to destroy you.
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### Author:  [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/58 "2014-02-16T04:34:48Z")
Tonight, I made my one-a-decade\* trip to a movie theater, and watched The Lego Movie. Enjoyed it. I caught a handful of movie references, but I’m sure I missed a bunch too. Still, I’m glad I went.
\*I hope nothing else good comes out this decade!
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [February 16, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/59 "2014-02-16T21:58:58Z")
I saw it yesterday and mostly loved it; full-on, bonkers action nearly all the way, and some very witty writing in there.
The only thing I’d have done differently:
I thought they laid the dualism thing on a bit thick. When Emmett fell out into the real world, I only needed a few seconds of the parent/child dialogue to realise that the struggle in the Lego world was a reflection of the conflict of intent between the child and his dad.
Then the movie seemed at pains to try to hammer that point home, again and again for pretty much the rest of the film - I just didn’t need this - I was just feeling “Yes, OK, _I get it_, can we move back to the action?”
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### Author:  [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lego-movie/679652/60 "2014-02-17T00:30:54Z")
I saw it with my brother and his four boys. They all seemed to enjoy it, although I think I liked it more than any of them. Growing up I must have had dozens of “80’s spaceman guy”, complete with broken helmet.
There were tons of good little jokes. Nothing gut-bustingly funny on its own, but good, and in large numbers. “Middle Zealand” itself is pretty funny. Everything with Batman was great. The sound effect of the spaceship, the pirate going back for his organs, the subversion of the Morgan-Freeman-is-infinitely-wise trope - all great chuckles.
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