‘The LEGO Movie’ Review: No Ordinary Toy Story

Ah, Pixar. After giving us an indelible trifecta of toy stories for the ages, you seem more inclined to create stories that only sell toys of late. So, how ironic is it that the branding synergy leading Warner Bros. to the creation of “The LEGO Movie” would result in one of the most inventive and engaging animated films in recent years?

Sure, having toys come alive on screen is nothing new. Cynics are right to observe that formula of family films and merchandising is shrewd and calculated. We also know most of the toy-to-movie hybrids are dross. But, when it works, the results can be quite entertaining, even transcendent. That’s exactly what happened with “The LEGO Movie.”

The ultimate egalitarian toy, any child (or adult) can unleash their creativity to build their own LEGO universe. Its reinvention to include such pop culture icons as comic book superheroes and move tie-ins have ensured LEGO would never be lost in a haze of nostalgia. Add the DIY mania of recent years and the brand is more popular than ever. So why did it take so long for “The LEGO Movie” to come to life? As actor Morgan Freeman, who is part of the stellar voice cast of the film, said so succinctly at a recent press conference:

“Two things come to mind immediately. Ideas and money.”

Using the reaction from children and most of the adults at a press screening audience as a gauge, heads all over the world are going to explode once they enter this LEGO land. The money was definitely spent to create this universe of moving blocks and figurines with traditional, stop-motion and CG animation. In fact, a big part of the fun is how this seemingly inanimate block of plastic was manipulated to simulate everything from cities at rush hour to fiery explosions and water splashing. The production design is so original and so brilliantly executed that the visual experience of it all is absolutely unreal and giddily inspiring, too. (LEGO blockheads and engineering students will be sure to race for the home version just to slow it all down for research purposes.) But really, it’s the film’s narrative ideas that add the defining layer to “The LEGO Movie.”

Taking a cue from one of the film’s themes, imagination is all you really need to create everything and anything. Yet, the desire to avoid sameness is not enough. You still need a plan; you need the structure provided by a team to keep the chaos in check. What gives “The LEGO Movie” its rich center of awesome is its sly sense of humor and unexpected sincerity. Credit the twisted minds of directors/screenwriters Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in creating a plan with vision and heart.

Who knows what these boys eat before they go to sleep. It must be something spicy because what they dreamt up for “The LEGO Movie” is anything but an exercise in sameness. With their film pedigree built on such disparate work as “Cloudy with a Chance” and “21 Jump Street,” you’d think their inner children run their laboratory. And you’d be right. But, they’ve proven skillful in mining the humanity out of the cartoonish in the past and they certainly don’t belittle their diverse audience with their humor, either.

Children and adults alike will be entranced by the story of Emmet, a “nobody” builder thrust into the role of fulfilling a prophecy to protect the “special” piece that will save “everybody” – and vanquish the evil Lord Business. (In fact, the less you know about the plot the better. Why spoil a good thing?)

What you should know is that Lord and Miller’s script was given to the right ensemble of voices, distinctive and skilled in comedic readings all. Leading the charge is an absolutely charming Chris Pratt, who imbues the entire film with such earnestness he becomes the EveryLEGO with whom we all connect. Building upon this foundation, Emmet is also surrounded by an unruly mob of supporting players representing everything from good to evil and all-around bad ass, sometimes all three at once.

If you need the voice of God, hell yes you’re going to call on Morgan Freeman to play Vitruvius, easily the coolest thing he’s done since playing Easy Reader on the fabled “Electric Company.” Will Ferrell is also a lot more interesting here as Lord Business than he was in “Anchorman 2,” an opinion that won’t be shared by my colleagues. But thanks to an unexpected third act reveal, it was nice to know subtlety still exists within his mania. “Hunger Gamer” Elizabeth Banks, whose rich embodiment of the action heroine (here known as Wyldstyle), brings both the funny and great dimension to the archetype. And who the hell knew Liam Neeson could send up his “tough guy” persona with such comic force as Bad Cop/Good Cop, you’ll want to see him do it in a live action film stat. But all hail the gruff voice of Will Arnett, who literally steals the show as an unforgettable Batman.

The pop culture satire that fuels “The LEGO Movie” hits it peak by turning the Dark Knight into the personification of the crap boyfriend. This is really the piece de resistance of “The LEGO Movie.” Such outrageously selfish arrogance could only become a showcase for the actor, Lord and Miller combined, complete with its own song. (Make it songs as the remix over the end credits is worth the wait.) And that’s is all the tip of the LEGO. Several of the brand’s favorite DC Comic tie-ins are present, as well “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings” and more. All feature the right voice to match, allowing for more cameos than a Jimmy Fallon sketch. It’s a veritable fan and media boy buffet that rivals Vegas. Yet, oddly, it never feels like it’s too much of a good thing.

Upon walking out of the screening, I couldn’t help but think that “The LEGO Movie” may be the first real hipster animated film. But it’s rapid-fire dialogue of asides, snark and irony is not without purpose or context. Also, the juxtaposition of having a real moral to the story proves more organic than forced. Lord and Miller were presented with a challenging balancing act to keep in focus so many audience quadrants. But they know and trust inner children appreciate the broad and sophisticated, something that too many animated films choose to ignore more often than not. In the end, “The LEGO Movie” validates why pretty visuals are never enough. Story does matter, too. (Are you listening, DreamWorks?) Seriously, a “LEGO Movie” sequel can’t get here fast enough.

Thinking again about songs, one last thing. You need to prepare yourself for the earworm that is “The LEGO Movie” theme song, “Everything is Awesome. You will never get it out of your head. Worse, your kids will make sure it NEVER stops playing. Or maybe you’ll just assemble your own remix? You know who you are.

“The LEGO Movie” opens nationwide on Friday, February 7.