Film Review: The Lego Movie (2014)

So I have a huge list of films I still need to see.. some that have been out for literally years but I just haven't gotten round to watching. I'm planning on watching them for the remainder of this summer and review them hence why this review is on The Lego Movie which isn't out right now but actually came out earlier this year. I'm hoping my reviews will persuade you to watch any films that you've been putting off watching too so let's get on with it!

 

So I have a little obsession going on over Chris Pratt at the moment after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy. I've always liked him after watching Parks and Recreation for a little while and also seeing him in What's Your Number so I decided to watch some of his other stuff. And I have to tell you The Lego Movie was definitely not what I was expecting considering it's primarily for children.

It's a computer animated/stop-motion comedy, adventure film. Directed and co-written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, it has an ensemble cast including Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. Based on the Lego line of construction toys, it is about an average, normal Lego mini figure construction worker called Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) who becomes an accidental hero. It is up to him to save the universe from the cruel Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell) who plans to obliterate the nonconformist creative communities with glue and an instruction manual. Emmet teams up with Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett), Princess UniKitty (Alison Brie), Metal Beard (Nick Offerman), Benny (Charlie Day) and of course Virtuvius (voiced by the amazing Morgan Freeman).  You follow Emmet and his friends on a hilarious, adventurous, heart warming journey; all of which makes a great film.

I can honestly say I enjoyed the hell out of this film! For a film that's for kids.. it was really, really funny. I genuinely didn't think it'd be that funny and I might even go as far as to say it's probably one of the best kids films I've ever seen. Chris Pratt as Emmet was adorable because you really felt for him and connected to his storyline (even if he was just made out of Lego!). You really cheer for him when he does something awesome and also feel like hugging him when the baddies constantly remind him he's a nobody.

Wyldstyle, voiced by Elizabeth Banks, was totally badass. She didn't need no man to help her create stuff out of the Lego pieces and kick bad guys' ass! Her storyline is obviously predictable at the very end but it's actually nice to see a female heroine who doesn't need a man to save her every time she gets into a spot of trouble. You go, girl!

The in-jokes and gags just kept on rolling all the time. I was in tears laughing and had to rewind to watch some scenes again just because they were that comical. Some funny characters that really stood out were Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, who had some fantastic one-liners like "I only work in black.. and sometimes very, very dark grey!". Benny, voiced by Charlie Day, was hilarious with his obsession of wanting to build a spaceship every two seconds. Morgan Freeman as Vitruvius was probably the best thing I've seen. He was so hilarious and very quick witted despite his character being blind and old. He was also totally badass in a fight scene which goes to show just because you're old doesn't mean you can't still kick ass.

There were also some voices I recognised like Channing Tatum (Superman), Jonah Hill (Green Lantern) and Cobie Smulders (Wonder Woman). The banter between Superman and Green Lantern between scenes that didn't include the main characters were absolutely spot on and entertaining.

The Lego Movie was just really, really great to watch. It was very smart with its message about conformity hidden by satire and jokes while celebrating creativity and the power of imagination. It's highly enjoyable and amusing with jokes that come at lightning speed. Not only that, you will literally be left sat there singing the theme tune 'EVERYTHING IS AWESOMEEE.' Literally. That is what it's called. And it IS awesome.

Due to its massive success, a sequel is already scheduled to be released on May 26th in 2017!

If you're looking for a funny film that is light and heart warming with lots of action and jokes (that sometimes only adults will get), then this film is definitely for you.

Leave your opinions in the comments below if you've seen it!

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.

Film Review: A Million Ways To Die In The West.

A Million Ways to Die in the West is an American western, comedy film produced, written and directed by the hilarious Seth MacFarlane (the creative genius behind TV's Family Guy, American Dad and the box office hit Ted) as well as Alex Sulkin and Wellesley Wild. MacFarlane stars in it himself alongside a star studded cast including Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris and Sarah Silverman.

It is about a a sheep farmer called Albert (Seth MacFarlane) who is rather cowardly and has never fired his gun resulting in his fickle girlfriend, Louise (Amanda Seyfried), leaving for another man, Foy (Neil Patrick Harris), who owns the town's leading moustache emporium. Albert ends up accidentally saving a beautiful woman's life, Anna (Charlize Theron), who helps him find his courage and learn to fight for himself, her husband however, a notorious outlaw called Clinch (Liam Neeson), arrives seeking revenge..

I thought the film was pretty good if we're talking about comedy whereas the storyline was obvious and predictable. Nevertheless Seth MacFarlane had the jokes firing in every scene.. I wouldn't recommend seeing it if you're easily offended, just saying. There are a probably few too many fart and diarrhea gags made but they somehow still keep you laughing all the way through. Although MacFarlane had most of the screen time, Charlize Theron really pulled off the jokes whenever she could which leaves you surprised that she hasn't done more comedy films before. Neil Patrick Harris is fantastic as he is depicted as the horrible girlfriend stealer while sporting an amazing moustache I have to say. His wit and moments in the films are really laugh-out-loud and leave you wanting more from him.

There isn't much to say about the film as aforementioned it is predictable and you're aware of this the minute Theron's character steps onto the scene. But there were some random but fantastic cameos that make you enjoy the film for what it is. I especially two or three!

I have been a fan of Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy and American Dad but this film doesn't quite match up to the outrageously hilarious Ted where MacFarlane voices Mark Wahlberg's fuzzy teddy bear friend. This film is obviously a mixed bag but clearly there is a market in which it'll please. There was a quality cast even if the storyline itself wasn't matching the same standards.. but it's worth watching, even if it's just once!

I'm not sure if this will help warm any MacFarlane haters up to him but the guy knows what he does best and what he does best is make shocking and offensive yet witty films and shows and I doubt that is about to change anytime soon. This film wasn't amazing but I don't think it was ever expected to be but I still remain a fan of him and his work. His raunchy parody won't turn many into fans of him but it shows that he's quite the outrageous quick-draw satirist.