Features: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Maya Rudolph, Will Ferrell, Jadon Sand, Brooklynn Prince, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding | Written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller | Directed by Mike Mitchell
It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild…
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller step down from directing duties from the enormously successful franchise they helped curate in The Lego Movie, released 2014, and place this sequel into the hands of director Mike Mitchell, whose previous cinematic exploits offer little encouragement with Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo, Alvin and the Chipmunks Chip-Wrecked and Shrek Forever After to name a few. Thankfully in the guidance of Lord and Miller, Mitchell’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is a delightful sequel that both lives up to expectations and the enjoyment levels of its predecessor.
It’s a distinctively different film in the context of the world created in the twenty fourteen film. A more mature and emotionally weighted atmosphere engulfs the characters and ultimately plot, compared to the rather overly child-friendly approach to the original. That’s not to suggest that this entry is neither funny or too child-friendly because it finds a terrific balance of both elements. The humour on offer here is outstanding. It’s quick-witted, layered and full of depth in every turn. Specific culture references and cameos are galore especially one reference to a certain 1989 action star that will have you in absolute stitches. Each reference is never overdone but just allowed to breathe enough for a serviceable impact that doesn’t affect the pacing.
The voice cast is once again terrific. Christ Pratt brings a delightfully energetic and charismatic mannerism to this time duel role as both Emmet Brickowski/Rex Dangervest. Elizabeth Banks, slightly forgotten about in the predecessor thankfully takes the leading voice role here with a wonderfully dark and overly serious Lucy that has a delightful growth of self-acceptance. Will Arnett as Batman puts forth another great turn, although much like the character he’s playing its an intentionally tight one-dimensional performance of which has been showcased in his last (now) three outings now, offering little to entertainment to what we’ve experienced beforehand. The newcomer to the franchise Tiffany Haddish continues her evolution as a performer and puts forward what might be the scene stealer of the picture in Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi. A delightfully enigmatic and colourful performance full of vibrancy and energy that lifts the screen every time the character is involved.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is in cinemas now.
