Lego builds a funny Batman movie
Latest caped crusader offering, complete with sidekicks, lightens up the Dark Knight’s world
If nothing else, The Lego Batman Movie might be the closest that the unfolding DC Universe gets to an actually enjoyable film.
The busy, wisecrack-filled spinoff of the who-saw-that-coming hit The Lego Movie manages to do everything the serious live-action Batman/Superman films are attempting.
It hilariously integrates Batman with Superman and The Justice League of America (they have parties, but he’s not invited, because really, do you want to be stuck talking to somebody that grim?).
It offers up a psychological lovehate framework for Batman’s relationship with The Joker — and even makes that funny.
It lightens up Batman’s world to near ’60s levels (at times the self-referential comedy is practically at Mystery Science Theatre 3000 levels).
It reintroduces Robin, a character who may have no actual place in a grown-up Dark Knight world.
It gives comic nerds a chance to geek-out on a giant game of “Name that villain,” with admittedly fake bad guys tossed in as red herrings (hint: The Condiment King is not a real villain from the DC canon).
If in the end, The Lego Batman Movie pads its last act with an interminable, destructive battle just like the movies it sends up, well it’s the most colourfully pastel action you’ll ever see (certainly enough to hold kids’ attention while the grown-ups try to catch the jokes).
Will Arnett’s Dark Knight turns out to be a perfect straight man for this mock psycho-drama — egotistical, unwilling to admit to feelings (particularly the ones he has for Zach Galifianakis’ Joker) and certainly not ready to play father to a literal fan-boy in green shorts (tenor-voiced Michael Cera creates a remarkably chipper Boy Wonder).
For comic fans, The Lego Batman Movie is an enjoyable diversion from an ongoing, dour live-action narrative. It answers, at last, The Joker’s perfectly valid question, “Why so serious?”