The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

“The name's Rex Dangervest. Galaxy defending archeologist, cowboy, and raptor trainer!”

Filmology Rating: 2.75 out of 4

“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” is, of course, the sequel to Lord and Miller's surprise hit, "The Lego Movie." This film literally starts where the previous one concluded and we follow mostly the same characters, aside from the usual few characters added to a sequel.

The film is set in a very Mad Max setting where everyone is scavenging for the bare essentials because the little boy's sister decided she wanted to play with his Legos. So now her toys are attacking the Lego people. So plot ensues with witty meta humor and Emmet must learn to co-exist in an ever changing world.

The first one came out and everyone couldn't stop saying everything is awesome. Now this movie comes out and it seems like nobody really cares, even Lord and Miller. They did write the film but didn't direct it like the first one and it shows slightly.

The first two acts of the movie had me bored out of my mind because it seemed so streamlined and generic. I kept thinking, "I know how this goes." And it was packed full of that meta humor that Lord and Miller bring to every project. The general rule for comedies is that it must get at least six laughs, but every piece of comedy fell flat besides one joke involving Bruce Willis in a vent. The theater sounded like a funeral. Otherwise, I found the humor cute and tailored more for children.

But then, the third act came around and caught me very off guard. Suddenly the film became very interesting and I found myself back into the film. The film felt like it could have ended at several times, which made for some pacing issues. But then, the film got really dark and had some very sentimental moments about growing up and the dangers of doing so too fast. And to be honest, it was a genuine, effective sentimental moment. There are wonderful things done with Emmet and his side-girl partner.

This film steered very clear from generic sequel to make the kids shut up, which is deeply appreciated. If you have some desperate attachment to the first, superior, film, then I'm sure you'll find something to like. And this film does attempt to say something that even adults can take from. The best children films bring out the children in all of us.

Rating: See It

-Nolan