The Lego Movie is like an extended product placement with heart — and that's a good thing.
At its core, the film is a visual showcase for Lego merchandise, offering up a unique brand of computer animation that injects new life into the beloved toy company's plastic bricks, while maintaining their boxy, yellow charm. Unlike other product-placement-laden films (ahem, The Internship), however, The Lego Movie succeeds because of its self-awareness, heartfelt storyline and pitch-perfect cast. To quote its catchy theme song, everything is awesome.
See also: Warner Bros. Takes You Behind the Bricks of 'The Lego Movie'
The film follows Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt), a resoundingly average Lego man who is mistakenly identified as the "Special," an extraordinary individual who is tasked with saving the world. In his quest, Emmet teams up with a motley crew of minifigures, including sassy rebel Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), wise wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), unicorn-kitten hybrid Unikitty (Alison Brie), '70s spaceman Benny (Charlie Day), swashbuckling pirate MetalBeard (Nick Offerman) and Batman (Will Arnett channelling Christian Bale's gravelly voiced Dark Knight). Their goal: to stop order-obsessed Lord Business (a hilarious Will Ferrell who evokes Zoolander villain Jacobim Mugatu) and his henchman Bad Cop (Liam Neeson) from freezing the Lego universe with a super-weapon called "Kragle."

The film's opening scene, featuring villain Lord Business (Will Ferrell) and Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman).
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures, 'The Lego Movie'
Led by Pratt's delightfully awkward, everyman take on Emmet, the cast is a comedy dream team whose chemistry is only enhanced by The Lego Movie's witty script. Much of its humor is self-referential; the Lego minifigures know they are made out of bricks — and they want you to know that they know. In one scene, Bad Cop asks, “Do you see the quotations I’m making with my claw hands?” while another scene that showcases various Lego worlds intentionally plays out like a commercial for Lego sets. In a film that thrusts its product into the spotlight, there was plenty of room for error, but The Lego Movie manages to turn its weakness into a strength, thanks to directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs).
Interestingly, despite its lack of human bodies, physical comedy provides the film's biggest laughs. Much like the puppets in Team America: World Police, there is something inherently comical about seeing rigid minifigures move around. The Lego Movie's creators seem to know this, including a comical minutes-long scene of Bad Cop kicking a chair in anger after Emmet and Wyldstyle evade him.

Batman (Will Arnett) and Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) share a moment, while Emmet (Chris Pratt) jealously looks on.
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures, 'The Lego Movie'
Humor aside, it's The Lego Movie's heart that elevates it beyond the typical kids' film. While the message — that you shouldn't judge others for being different, and that you can be "special" as long as you believe in yourself — is standard fare for animated films, The Lego Movie delivers it better than most.
Adults aren't left out, either. In a surprise live-action scene near the end of the film, they're taught to embrace their imagination as well as to remember how to be a kid again.

Emmet (Chris Pratt) leads his team in a plan to save the world. He is joined by Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), Unikitty (Alison Brie), Benny (Charlie Day) and Batman (Will Arnett).
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures, 'The Lego Movie'
At the end of the day, though, it's all about the animation. The Lego Movie takes full advantage of the versatility of its medium, showing off Lego bricks in different formations. For instance, one wild chase scene in which Bad Cop is in hot pursuit of Emmet, Wyldstyle and Vitruvius, features Lego dust clouds taking shape behind galloping horses. And whether it's flooding a submarine or making waves, water is another element that impresses in Lego form. Simply put, the film is dynamic, colorful and a feast for the eyes.
The Good: A slick script, solid cast and eye-catching animation make The Lego Movie a fun outing for both kids and adults.
The Bad: It teaches some old lessons, but with a distinctly unique spin.
Bottom Line: The Lego Movie is a first-class animated feature that will bring laughs to children for years to come. We give it 3.5 stars out of 4 stars.
The Lego Movie arrived in U.S. theaters on Feb. 7.
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