The LEGO Batman Movie

Year: 2017
Genre: Animated Comedy
Directed: Chris McKay
Stars: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Zach Galifianakis, Jenny Slate, Jason Mantzoukas, Conan O'Brien, Doug Benson, Billy Dee Williams, Eddie Izzard, Seth Green, Jemaine Clement, Ellie Kemper, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Adam Devine, Mariah Carey, Kate Micucci, Riki Lindhome, Zoe Kravitz
Production: DC Entertainment

There is no denying today that The Lego Movie (2014) is an amazing cinematic accomplishment. At the time of its release it had all the irreverence, chirpiness and sly pop culture references audiences didn't even know they wanted yet. In addition, it was endowed with sumptuous animation, excellent voice acting work and a soundtrack that included the year's most infectious ear worm. With a bar set that demonstratively high, the film's inevitable followup simply can't compete, can it?

Well no... but I am glad to say that despite being noticeably weaker than its predecessor, The LEGO Batman Movie still sticks the landing with the force and magnitude of a superhero falling with style. Much like the original, this movie is chock-a-block with the same frenetic energy and anarchic spirit. The jokes, in-jokes and meta-jokes flip and somersault across the screen with the voracity of talented gymnast and they simply don't let up until the credits roll. It's actually kind of dizzying at times, like feeling the shaky rambling of a rickety wooden roller coaster or getting hit in the dome with a jai alai ball.

Jokes coming in too fast!

The smartest thing about LEGO Batman is it seemingly does more with less, at least in regards to themes. While the first LEGO film used the fever dreams of an imaginative young boy to call attention to everything from existentialism to corporatism, LEGO Batman simply channels its "victory through teamwork" epigram and calls it a night. It's a simple message, but its one worth hearing and in this case the whistles and bells are provided freakin' Batman!

Batman, you know, him right? He's the DC Comic staple whose last on-screen incarnation had his head so far up his a** he didn't notice Zack Snyder's Superman/Jesus parallels. He's also the guy who in the first LEGO movie was relegated to being a one-joke supporting character. He's just as self-absorbed, self-loathing and self-aggrandizing in this universe as he is in any, only this time those closest to him are actually call him out on his sullen, lone-wolf routine.

It's a funny joke though one would wish that it didn't overstay its welcome. Let's face it, dressing down and picking apart the Dark Knight is about as common nowadays as picking one's nose yet LEGO Batman is poised to probe just as many clever observations as obvious ones out of its title character. The most frustrating and repetitive gag in the bunch is Batman (Arnett) and Joker's (Galifianakis) titan-esque battle for the heart of Gotham being reduced to a one way relationship full of Serendipity (2001) quotes.

Because nothing says mortal enemies like romantic comedies

Then of course there's LEGO's wonky product licensing which, granted, provides a killer third act but doesn't shake my dismay that we're currently living in a late-capitalism nightmare. I'll try not spoil it, lest to say its funny how in both LEGO films they've managed to sneak on seemingly every IP from the last quarter century. This time around however, everything having to do with Disney is conspicuously absent.

Hmmm, curious and curiouser...

Regardless of how you feel about licensing however, there's no denying The LEGO Batman Movie is a largely successful followup to its wildly popular prequel. What it lacks in originality and spunk it compensates with enough spontaneity to keep families happy while providing enough in-jokes for Batman fans to enjoy. It doesn't hold a torch to The Lego Movie but then again, what does?

Final Grade: B-