After almost two decades of grim, gritty Batman films, it’s great to see the Caped Crusader lighten up. A sorta-sequel to 2014’s “LEGO Movie,” “The LEGO Batman Movie” is delightful pop-culture-filled family movie.
On its surface, the film is a well-written, tongue-in-cheek take on Batman and DC Comics at large. As it pokes fun at every previous iteration of Batman, the movie deconstructs the Dark Knight’s brooding, loner attitude, revealing that Batman’s biggest fear is opening up and letting himself have a family again.
Reprising his roll from the “LEGO Movie,” Will Arnett’s self-absorbed super hero shtick is as good as it was before. This time around, though, he is joined by Michael Cera as Robin, Rosario Dawson as Commissioner Barbara Gordon, Zachary Galifinakis as the Joker and Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth (and Voldemort). Everyone delivers a hilarious, but also surprisingly heartfelt, performance.
While the Lego-built aesthetic is not as note-worthy or visually interesting in and of itself as it was in the previous movie, the film does go out of its way to remind the audience that the world is made out of plastic bricks, with Batman and Robin building complex gadgets out of rubble around Gotham City.
“LEGO Batman” is a fun action-comedy movie that children and parents who aren’t well-versed in batman lore can enjoy. For any fans who would recognize villains like the Gentleman Ghost or Zodiac master, however, the movie is essential viewing.
ngonzales@durangoherald.com. Nick Gonzales is one of The Durango Herald newsroom’s resident film buffs. He welcomes movie recommendations. Follow him on Twitter @lackingzones.
The LEGO Batman Movie
(Playing at Stadium 9) (In standard format and digital 3-D with surcharge.)
Rating: PG
Genre: Action & adventure, animation, comedy
Directed by: Chris McKay
Written by: Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Jared Stern, John Whittington
Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 97%
