I'll be honest, the opening minutes of the movie had me questioning if this was going to be worth it, but the story quickly grew on me. Bricksburg has fallen under attack by alien invaders from the DUPLO Universe and the happiness has disappeared as Apocalypseburg has become the new norm. But all of this heart hardening can't dampen the spirits of our happy-go-lucky hero, Emmet. He continues to see the glass half-full and life for what it can be, not what it is. However, he soon finds his friends taken prisoners and transported to the Systar System where he fears they will be brainwashed and all of Apocalypseburg will be destroyed. Emmet knows he must save the day and learns to "toughen up" thanks to the help of a new friend he meets along the way, Rex. Old favorites like Lucy and the always chiseled Batman, meet new characters like Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi as this adventure takes the citizens of Bricksburg to where they have never been before! Will Emmet be able to save the day or will all hope be lost forever?
One thing is for sure, there is plenty of music along the way! "Everything is Awesome" is back with a new reprisal, "Everything's Not Awesome" and a new favorite, "This Song's Gonna Get Stuck Inside Your Head" will do just that. With the silly laughs, catchy songs, bright colors, and exciting action, there is plenty for your kids to enjoy. My 7 year old son was slow warming up, but after about the first 15 minutes, was captivated by the story. While there wasn't anything I would object to my 4 year old seeing as part of the film, I don't think he would get most of the storyline - but he'd certainly dance to the "fresh beats." My favorite part of the whole movie? Batman. He's simply the coolest LEGO character EVER. His big ego and sarcastic comments are perfect for the grown-ups to enjoy.
There are also a few valuable life lessons that can be learned through the movie. The first - everything is not always awesome. Throughout the movie, our heroes battle against adversity. In fact, they very plainly point out that it's unrealistic for everything to be awesome all the time. I like a message that teaches are kids about grit and perseverance. The second life lesson - people (or LEGOs in this case) aren't always what they seem. I don't want to spoil any plot lines here, but there are a few character twists and turns along the way that remind us that we might need to look beyond the surface and get to know someone before we judge the content of their character.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and found myself unable to control my body from dancing along in my seat at different parts. Don't worry if you didn't see the first LEGO movie, you'll be able to quickly jump in and understand what's happening. This is a great movie for elementary and up to see. Be sure to check it out in theaters everywhere beginning February 8th!
My family and I received complimentary admission to an advanced screening of this movie. As always, opinions are my own! Thanks to Allied Media for the opportunity to screen this movie and share my thoughts!
Overall, I enjoyed the story and found myself unable to control my body from dancing along in my seat at different parts. Don't worry if you didn't see the first LEGO movie, you'll be able to quickly jump in and understand what's happening. This is a great movie for elementary and up to see. Be sure to check it out in theaters everywhere beginning February 8th!
My family and I received complimentary admission to an advanced screening of this movie. As always, opinions are my own! Thanks to Allied Media for the opportunity to screen this movie and share my thoughts!