The LEGO Movie (2014)
When the hit theme song of a film is entitled “Everything Is Awesome,” you know you’re in for an uplifting experience. Yes, technically, the story sees the bad guy use the song as a tool of oppression – but the meaning of the song is turned around by the end of the film, once the good guys prevail, and the power of creativity and uniqueness is once again free for all.
In the world of LEGO, Lord Business is intent on using a terrifying weapon, known as the Kragle, to bind all citizens into compliance. They live in a world where they must blindly follow the instructions, and never go off plan. His final, master scheme is fast approaching implementation, but a small band of Master Builders – and ‘regular guy,’ Emmet – fight to stop him. In order to win the day, the team must overcome their internal differences and politics, accepting and supporting each other’s unique talents and abilities, before inspiring the rest of the world to do that same. Harnessing the very stuff that makes each individual unique makes them – together – much more powerful than the dastardly Lord Business, who has no choice but to understand the error of his ways.
The LEGO Movie provides action, humour and the most definitive ‘happy ever after’ in memory. But there’s still room for a sequel, in which everything will inevitably be awesome once again.