Review - The Lego Batman Movie

The Lego Batman Movie (2017), PG, 104 minutes - Do you like Batman?  Did you like 2014's The Lego Movie?  If you answered 'yes' to either of those questions, you will love this flick!

The Lego Batman Movie accomplishes something that, on paper seems virtually impossible: it strips down the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman (Will Arnett) to the basics while at the same time cleverly and seamlessly referencing every era of the character's history from both film and print.

Lego Batman is used to being the solo hero of Gotham.  No problem is too tough to handle on his own and he thrives on the city's adulation.  What he's quick to deny though, is that he is lonely and that his solitary existence at Wayne Manor/Island is beginning to weigh on him.  The more light-hearted nature of the Lego-based movies allows for the sometimes-over-the-top exploration of his relationships, not just with allies such as Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), Dick Grayson/Robin (Michael Cera), and new Gotham Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson), but even with his arch-nemesis The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) in ways that would feel out of place in a live action Batman film.  It really is amazing sometimes just how deep so-called "kid's movies" can be.

Ask anyone from my generation who's voice they hear when they think animated Batman, and ninety nine times out of a hundred the answer will be Kevin Conroy (as well it should be).  That being said, with his take on Bruce Wayne/Batman in these Lego movies, Will Arnett is putting an excellent stamp on the character and is making Lego Batman one of my favorite incarnations of a legendary character that seems to thrive in just about any situation (not including a couple mid to late '90s live action films that have proven to be the exception of course).

I know this review was short and sweet, but there are just too many fun references (and villains - many from other properties) in this film to count and, despite getting surprisingly deep at times (which isn't a bad thing), the plot is pretty simple.  It all boils down to Batman once again saving the day, this time with a little help from his friends.

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