When I played LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes for the first time, it was probably the most fun I’ve ever allowed myself to have playing a videogame. You run around collecting coins, breaking bad guys to pieces and building miniature LEGO sets in fast forward time. Well, the movie is more of the same experience, but the only thing you have to do with your hands it press Play!
Before we get started, let’s clear up one thing: if you have played the game, you know the story. Except for a few added scenes to smooth everything together, the movie is essentially comprised of all the cutscenes in the videogame. That being said, the storyline of LEGO Batman: The Movie is absolutely awesome. It’s the classic tag team power match-up of Batman and Superman (and Robin – everybody forgets Robin) going against Joker and Lex Luthor. Ultimately, as the lesson is learned, Batman realizes that it is going to take more than just the two of them to defeat the duo, and the Justice League is called into the mix to fix off the baddies. In fact, my only knock of the film is that the Justice League isn’t featured more in it. I know that it would have taken focus off the relationship between Batman and Superman, but it would have been great to see more Easter Eggs like Wonder Woman’s Invisible Jet made with clear LEGO pieces. Overall though, it’s a story that would translate into pretty much any format and the writers should be very proud of themselves for creating an experience that both three-year olds and their nerdy parents can enjoy.
Quite possibly the best part of LEGO Batman: The Movie is the LEGO. LEGO Everything. Nub-heads, cheap cloth LEGO capes, and a ton of other LEGO translations that I won’t spoil are really proof that the small things matter. Somehow, with all the malarkey of exploding LEGO chickens turning into LEGO drumsticks, the movie somehow is able to remain true to form. The Danny Elfman Batman: Returns tribute of an introduction, along with the absurd need to play John Williams’ Superman theme everytime he does something cool makes the characters feel bigger than LEGOs.
Batman is arrogant and stoic, while Superman is a total bro. It’s a great yin-yang relationship that the Superman/Batman comics explored and I think that it translates well to a 71 minute film. While it can be a bit corny at times, the charm injected to each and every moment will have you secretly wishing for more. It’s basically your inner child’s imagining of the Dark Knight. If you’re not too cool for school, you could be in for a great time. Take your pants off in the comfort of your own home and enjoy!
“Listen to your… listen to your Batman” and buy this movie. It’s noticeably cheaper than the usual DC Animated movie and it includes an awesome Clark Kent LEGO piece.
SCORECARD:
| Category | Explanation | Score |
| Plot | While not Oscar-worthy, the story has enough substance that it will keep you wondering what will happen next and the ending fits. | 8/10 |
| Voice-acting | All voices are fitting of their characters and LEGO Batman knocks it out of the park with experienced but relatively unknown actors. | 9/10 |
| Representation of Source Material | The buddy cop bromance between Batman and Superman is in full effect in this film and it pays off in the end. | 9/10 |
| Animation | Again. LEGO EVERYTHING. In a good way. | 10/10 |
| Sound Effects and Music | The themes that Danny Elfman and John Williams made famous return in classic form. | 10/10 |
| Captivity | There are a lot of slow transitions here where you can tell it was pieced together from previous material that kind of mess up the flow of the film. | 7/10 |
| Overall awesomeness | The movie does a great job at being cute versions of the things we love about the DC Universe, especially Batman. | 10/10 |
| Creativity | Anytime LEGO does a project, they go all out. Half the fun is finding little details they tweaked for the sake of being LEGO. | 9/10 |
| Replayability | It’s a fun movie, but I’m pretty sure it will find it’s way to the back of the collection | 6/10 |
| Special Features | There are a couple of cute stop-motion shorts, and extra vault episodes are always nice, but nothing really to write home about. | 5/10 |
IF YOU LIKED THIS, CHECK OUT THESE:
Superman-Batman: Public Enemies
Justice League: Doom
NEXT FOR DC ANIMATED:
The Flashpoint Paradox, based off Geoff John’s awesome Flashpoint run (Flashpoint #1-5), out July 30, 2013 . I personally cannot wait for this. It has an All-Star cast, led by director Jay Oliva (The Dark Knight Returns: Part 1 and 2), and an incredible take on Batman’s orgin. I’ve attached a teaser below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAc9Br_MUoU
Written by Sherif Elkhatib
Hush Comics 
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