Way Overrated

Rating: 3/10 (23 February 2014)

"The Lego Movie" carries with its name an association to instant likability. In fact, I have never played with the toys myself, but they look like fun, and I can't imagine a kid not falling in love with the possibility of building whatever they wish. The film, unfortunately, falls short because once again it does what Hollywood does best, lots of flash, with very little essence, soul or heart, though it wasn't for lack of trying.
Here is an everyman put in the position of saving the Lego universe from the Mr. Business, I guess we're playing with extended metaphors and sarcasm here. I have seen situations and plot devices like these before, but the magic falls short here, quite quickly, after the introduction of the main characters. There is very little to captivate the audience with the very simple facial expressions of the characters. There is some magic in the shots that involve streets, freeways, and distant perspectives, but it is hard to engage our interest when we have close ups.
So, after the first 15 minutes or so, you can start feeling how simple the whole enterprise appears, and it an almost palpable feelings how the different members in the audience are trying very hard to like the film. The little tykes are probably more interested in looking at the possibilities of what they can put together at home with the pieces they see in the screen. From this perspective, the movie is no more than a very long advertisement. The adults are glad the kids are quiet, but one can only laugh so much at the "funny" lines.
I was mostly impressed by the interesting conclusion, which could have easily turned off everyone in the audience, but it is a reflection of some of the most magical and/or sweetest moments in TV and cinema, the revelation that it's all a dream, but that it doesn't really matter. Things are pretty clever at that moment, and Will Ferrell, an actor that I find wooden and tiresome, doesn't do a bad job here. Maybe he is more effective when he is restrained.
There are some creative moments, from the voice casting, to the catchy tune that is bound to sell a zillion copies to the unsuspecting audiences, and most incredibly, the cliffhanger for the unstoppable sequel. It was actually kind of cute. Hope the people behind this production do a better job giving us a warmer, better film. After all the eyes in CGI have come a long way from the dazed looks of "The Polar Express", and they can do wonders with stop motion. Just look at the amazing work of Tim Burton and his films. There's hope after all.