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- What Is The Lego Batman Movie About & Who Stars in It?
- An Exciting Celebration of the Caped Crusader
- A Dazzling Critical Response
- Cancelation of the Previously Announced Sequel
As a long-time fan of DC Comics and animated films, I was beyond excited when I first heard about “The Lego Batman Movie” back in 2014. Having grown up watching Batman on the big screen and in various cartoons, I couldn’t wait to see how this unique take on the Caped Crusader would pan out. When it finally hit theaters in 2017, I was blown away by the clever writing, stunning animation, and the spot-on voice acting by Will Arnett as Batman. The film not only captured the essence of Batman but also managed to infuse it with humor and heart.
Will Arnett, known for his entertaining and sensational performances, was a perfect fit when he lent his voice to Bruce Wayne/Batman in Chris McKay’s 2017 blockbuster “The Lego Batman Movie.” This spin-off of the “Lego Movie” franchise, which brought together the beloved children’s toy and respected comic book characters, was a global sensation, winning over audiences with its impressive animation, heartfelt performances, and quirky humor. However, despite the widespread acclaim from viewers and critics alike, this “Batman Movie” has not received the recognition it truly deserves.
The animated film not only honors various versions of Batman since his debut in 1939 but boasts an impressive voice cast and brings popular comic characters like the Joker, Harley Quinn, and Batgirl to life. Fans were disappointed when the planned sequel to this entertaining movie was scrapped in 2019. However, they can now take solace in knowing that “The Lego Batman Movie” is gaining recognition and adoration on the popular streaming platform Netflix.
What Is The Lego Batman Movie About & Who Stars in It?
In simpler terms, “The Lego Batman Movie” is a new adventure based on DC Comics heroes and the popular toy collection. It’s a spin-off from “The Lego Movie” series and follows Batman as he protects Gotham City from his arch-nemesis, the Joker, who teams up with villains like Two-Face and the Riddler. Batman, accompanied by Robin, Alfred, and Batgirl, faces the Joker’s wrath when he unintentionally offends the sensitive Joker, leading to a showdown between the Dark Knight and his enemies.
I was thrilled to see Will Arnett once again bring his captivating charm to the role of Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in “The Lego Movie.” Joining him were an impressive cast including Zach Galifianakis as the menacing Joker, Michael Cera as the agile Robin, and Rosario Dawson as the determined Batgirl. In this vibrant animated universe set in Gotham City, Batman takes in the orphan Dick Grayson, who eventually grows up to become his trusted sidekick Robin. Working together, they aim to thwart the Joker’s latest evil plan. Not only was this animated adventure a delight to watch, but it also served as Chris McKay’s directorial debut. He went on to direct other successful films like “The Tomorrow War” and “Renfield.”
An Exciting Celebration of the Caped Crusader
I absolutely adore “The Lego Batman Movie” – it’s bursting with countless amusing and quirky nods to Batman’s rich history in DC comics! McKay drew inspiration from hilarious ’80s comedies like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” to create this delightful masterpiece. When pitching the idea to the studio, he described it as a fusion of “Jerry Maguire” and Michael Mann’s gritty style – an intriguing blend of drama and action! My goal was to bring together all of Batman’s various eras from films, cartoons, and comics, merging them into a single captivating world – one where Robin would shine in contrast.
McKay revealed in a 2017 Q&A about his overall vision:
“I had an idea that we could combine the gloomy and brooding Batman portrayed by Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck with the optimistic and energetic Robin character akin to Burt Ward. Merging these contrasting vibes.”
In a delightful tribute to Batman’s rich history, The Lego Batman Movie brought classic references from past films to life. Characters paid homage to the 1940s serials and the iconic portrayal by Adam West in the ’60s TV show. This animated masterpiece offered an exhilarating experience for fans of DC Comics, Lego, and animation as a whole. Batman didn’t just encounter familiar comic book heroes like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and The Flash but also plastic-brick versions of characters from other franchises such as The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Agent Smith from The Matrix, and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter. By celebrating Batman’s enduring legacy and his significant influence on pop culture, this animated sensation did so with utmost respect, admiration, and, of course, plenty of humor.
A Dazzling Critical Response
The Lego Batman Movie left critics in awe when it was released, earning rave reviews for its vivid animation, hilarious comedy, and lighthearted portrayal of DC comics’ heroes and villains. Audiences were drawn to the film’s witty takes on Batman and the superhero genre as a whole. With quick-witted jokes, an impressive voice cast, and Arnett’s outstanding performance as the enigmatic guardian of Gotham City, The Lego Batman Movie entertained audiences around the world.
Moviegoers awarded the animated picture a very respectful A- CinemaScore, and it currently holds a dazzling 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, with fans and critics in agreement that The Lego Batman Movie provided a refreshing look at the celebrated character after years of the hero being depicted in a somber and serious manner. The prominent aggregation website ranked the film as the 23rd best superhero movie of all time on their website and it received numerous nominations including three Annie Awards and a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, winning Best Animated Film at the Detroit Film Critics Society.
The Los Angeles Times raved about “The Lego Batman Movie” in their review, praising it as the finest Batman film since “The Dark Knight.” They added that this comedic take on the Caped Crusader shines brightest when it functions as a clever combination of insight and amusement. Released in 2017, the movie dominated the box office during its debut weekend with $53 million and eventually grossed an impressive $312 million. Due to its extraordinary critical and commercial success, a sequel was promptly approved by the studio; however, unfortunately, the anticipated follow-up failed to materialize.
Cancelation of the Previously Announced Sequel
Following its blockbuster debut and rave reviews from critics and audiences in late 2018, a new installment of “The Lego Batman Movie” was announced on December 5th. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s McKay were set to direct once more, with a targeted release date in 2022. Regrettably, unforeseen circumstances led to the cancellation of this sequel, which had no bearing on the original film’s exceptional box office performance and critical acclaim.
When “The Second Part” underperformed financially for the franchise and Warner Bros.’ deal with the LEGO Group ended (as they chose not to renew it following significant losses), Universal Pictures seized the opportunity and secured the rights for the movie series and brand. Regrettably, this move put the brakes on the planned Batman sequel because of Warner’s control over DC Comics. With no DC involvement, a second installment became an unrealized dream, leaving fans feeling disappointed. Chris McKay, the director, had revealed that the working title for the sequel was “Lego Superfriends,” focusing on Batman’s connections with both Superman and the Justice League. Lex Luthor and OMAC were set to take on the antagonist roles.
Netflix Helps the Lego Movie Find More Love
Since the release of “The Lego Batman Movie” seven years ago, this entertaining and magical film has unfortunately been overlooked and undervalued on the big screen. However, with its recent addition to Netflix, fans have rediscovered its charm and fun factor, resulting in an impressive 2.8 million streaming hours.
As a gamer and fan of animated movies, I’d say that The Lego Batman Movie might not have the same level of acclaim as The Dark Knight or Batman by Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton, but it’s still an enjoyable watch for people of all ages. This movie perfectly captures the essence of Batman with its lighthearted take on the character, never taking itself too seriously, and delivering lots of laughs and fun antics. More and more viewers are discovering this gem and can’t help but wonder what could have been if the franchise had been expanded further. But for now, we can re-watch The Lego Batman Movie and appreciate its zany and brilliant take on the iconic DC hero. Stream it now on Netflix.
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2024-07-17 00:31