After the unexpected huge success of 2014’s Lego Movie, it seems that we are going to be getting more spin-offs and The Lego Batman Movie turns out to be a fine output that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults and who would have thought that this would be one of the best Batman films?
Batman (Will Arnett, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) is still fighting crime in Gotham City alone whilst also raising Dick Grayson (Michael Cera, Sausage Party) the child that he unwittingly adopted. But when the Joker (Zach Galifianakis, Birdman) reveals his most dastardly plan yet he finds himself joining forces with others to defeat him once more.
This film embraces it’s bizarre environment by not taking itself too seriously and giving us a story that is funny yet at times emotional and more solid than the recent films within the DC Universe, the action is very energized and fast paced and the humor is witty yet over the top that gives the occasional wink to the adults.
It also makes little jabs at the previous Batman films including reenacting scenes in lego form to make them seem more silly than serious, with the exception of those that were already silly to begin with.
It hilariously exaggerates the characters from what they’ve been seen as in other media such as Batman being boastful and childish, instead of brooding and intense yet still keeping the gruff voice that has become a trademark for the character, Joker obsesses over Batman and strives for his approval as his greatest enemy of all time which plays off as a romance between them and Robin is timid and childlike who wants to be part of a family as well as a cool action hero like his adoptive father.
Whilst it was hilarious to see villains from other Warner Bros owned franchises such as Harry Potter and Gremlins play a part in the Joker’s plan, it was a little disappointing that they didn’t feature more of the Batman villains that only got brief appearances unlike Joker and Harley Quinn’s bigger roles.
Batman’s main song the heavy metal based ‘Who’s The (Bat)Man’ that plays whilst he is fighting off the Joker is just as entertaining yet over the top as the rest of the film and reminds us all what makes Batman so great.
The Lego Batman Movie is an enjoyable spin-off and let’s hope that the other films can stay at the same standard.
4/5