Review – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

SYNOPSIS: In the irreverent spirit of fun that made THE LEGO MOVIE a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is…

One of the best DC Comics films to date…

One of the best Batman films to date…

And, great.

I’m serious and honest as can be here: THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is one of the best “Batman Things” I’ve ever experienced as lifelong fan of this character. When it comes to my beloved Batman, I don’t BS. If you love Batman, you’re going to adore this film.

When Batman stole the show in 2014’s THE LEGO MOVIE, you figured it was just a matter of time before the plastic (but actually CGI) Dark Knight would be given a feature film of his own. Sure, I was excited when Warner Bros. announced THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, but I didn’t realize then just how much Batman and his fans would need such a film – especially right now. When you see it (and run, not walk, to your local theater/cinema and see it as soon it’s released), you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is a love letter to Batman and everthing that was and is “Batman.” Think about all you know about Batman, OK? This film has all of that and more in it. It’s everything that is “Batman” – dark, light, serious, campy, comic books, TV, film, etc. – all at once. And while it’s hilarious, it never, Never, NEVER makes fun of Batman.

But, it does make Batman (GASP!) fun.

If you’ve seen THE LEGO MOVIE, you know by now that Lego Batman (voiced brilliantly yet again by Will Arnett) is one kickass crime-fighter who isn’t lacking on, well, confidence.

Or is he? Everything might not be awesome in his own personal Bat-World. Under the cowl (which he doesn’t want to take off because Bruce Wayne’s no fun), Batman’s kinda lonely guy. He’s not going to admit it because, you know, Batman works alone and he’s BATMAN.

But, will Lego Batman, ahem, forever go solo?

Things all begin to change for out little Lego Dark Knight when his no-fun, billionaire alter ego “accidently” adopts a young orphan at charity gala. Enter Dick Grayson (Michael Cera) – a wide-eyed (literally), happy, and always optimistic kid who will, of course, go on to become Robin.

Then there’s Lego Gotham City’s new police commissioner, Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson) who describes Batman’s activities as those of an “unsupervised adult man in a bat costume karate-chopping poor people.” So, if she’s not too keen on Batman, how and why does she end up as Batgirl? I’ll let you discover that fun for yourself, but this incarnation of Ms. Gordon doesn’t answer to anyone; even “Bat-BOY.”

Last, but certainly not least, is Batman Family member Alfred Pennyworth (Ralph Fiennes) who has the job of having to constantly parent Batman, while subtly pushing him to live a more, ahem, normal life.

As far as the villain, well, there are A LOT of ‘em! Tons of cameos by just about every member of Batman’s rogues gallery that you can imagine (Crazy Quilt, yes!). But it’s Batman’s arch-enemy (more on that in just a second), The Joker (Zack Galifianakis) that’s front and center throughout the film. The deal is – and it’s a brilliant bit too – that the “arch-enemy” thing is one-sided. Lego Batman, you see, is a player and won’t be tied down to one villain. Stung by the fact that his feelings are not reciprocated, The Joker unleashed a villainous plot to show Batman that he is “the one.”

Yes, The Joker is basically your crazy ex!

Props to director Chris McKay (check out BOF’s podcast interview with him HERE), all the writers, and the cast for giving us the one of heck of a great Bat-experience! Which is a good thing, because it also calls for multiple viewings to catch all of the Bat-references, quips, nods, jabs (yes, there are a few good-natured ones) and cameos. I for one, will gladly will pay to see this one or ten more times.

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE is the Batman film we need right now and chicken soup for your Batman on film soul.

Trust me, for two hours, everything will be awesome. – Bill “Jett” Ramey

GRADE: A+