2005's "batman begins" was a breath of fresh air. After the commercialization and camp of "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin" almost destroyed the franchise, "Begins" provided a more character driven and grittier take on the Batman mythos. Cut to today where forcibly dark and edgy superhero films are a dime a dozen. Much like "Batman Begins," "The lego batman movie" is another breath of fresh air from an unwelcome trend in superhero films.
The Plot.
The film starts with a hilarious opening sequence that lampoons Batman's rogue's gallery and his Mary Sue traits.
After saving the city accompanied by a rock song about how awesome he is, Batman tells a crestfallen Joker that no-one means anything to him; not even his most obsessed adversary. Batman then goes home to a lonely manor where he spends time practicing the guitar, watching "Jerry Maguire," and brooding at an old portrait of his parents. Alfred tells Batman that he has a problem: his fear of being including others in his life.
After Bruce reluctantly agrees to attend Commissioner Jim Gordon's retirement party, he accidentally adopts another orphan named Richard Grayson and becomes infatuated with Jim's daughter and successor, Barbara Gordon. The new commissioner has a proposition: teaming Batman up with the GCPD.
Obviously, Batman opposes the idea. The party takes a strange turn when The Joker turns himself and the rest of Gotham's worst into the police.
Realizing that no he longer has a purpose without a baddie to punch, Batman tasks his adopted son with helping him break into Arkham Asylum to transport Joker to The Phantom Zone, a realm where the evilest villains are imprisoned.
What follows is a side-splitting and heartfelt adventure where Batman learns to empathize with others and stop pushing them away.
Satire with love.
Recent DC films have left me with the impression that their makers regard the source material with contempt and a need to repair. Conversely, "lego batman" shows great love and attention to detail to its comic roots with many references and in-jokes that will go over the heads of younger viewers.
The jokes are also bolstered by wonderful performances and brilliantly timed animation. What I wasn't expecting was the film's more emotional moments and Batman's character arc. These elements serve to elevate what could have been a good film into a great one.
Yay or nay?
Simply put, "The Lego Batman Movie" is the right film at the right time. With the success of "The Lego Movie" and failures of "BVS" and "Suicide Squad" still fresh in the public's minds, "Lego Batman" gleefully recaptures the fun and wit of the former while satirizing the latter. Easily Recommended to Batman lovers, detractors, and parents looking for a family-friendly substitution to "Deadpool."
