Upon first hearing that The Lego Movie was legitimately going to become a thing, reactions were cynical... and why not? Surely such a movie - one so willing to wear its corporate heart on its sleeve - had no reason to exist? How and why would a Lego movie even work? And yet... how wrong we all were: to the shock of near on everyone who went to see it, The Lego Movie is perhaps the best and most enjoyable film to have graced cinemas in 2014. Appealing to adults and children alike, it's a triumphant nostalgic throwback of the highest order. The plot concerns a lowly Lego minifig named Emmet, who stumbles upon his destiny as a "Master Builder" - one ingrained with the skills to construct the brick-based world around him with unlimited potential. With the evil Lord Business out to destroy the world using a mysterious super weapon, cue a ragtag team made up from a whole host of hilarious and timely pop cultural icons, including the likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, and The Lego Movie emerges as a balls to walls action extravaganza that is simply a joy to watch from start to finish. Each and every aspect of production deserves praise: the beautiful animation, rendered in a mock stop motion-style, the amazing voice cast (which includes Chris Pratt), the witty script, the brilliant pacing, the fact that it doesn't come across as a bid to sell toys in any way at all. The success of this picture stems from the idea that the people who wrote and directed it - Phil Lord and Christopher Miller - have a clear affinity for Lego and for the power of imagination. So far this year, no other film has packed in as much good in 100 minutes. Remarkable. Like this article? Agree or disagree? Which movies would you have picked? Let us know in the comments section below.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
