The Lego Movie 2: The Secon Part (2019)

It's not as original or clever or novel as the first Lego Movie. It's passable. It's a typical kids movie, but nowadays good kids movies are much deeper and more imaginative. Especially following Lord and Miller's recent Spiderman, this comes up short.

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

The Lego Batman movie is not quite as good as its predecessor. It's still punny. Its humor is of the fast and ridiculous type. And of course, it is knowingly ridiculous. I really enjoyed the first Lego movie, but I wasn't crazy about this one. I think what I really liked was the Will Ferrell twist. In this film, there are tons of references to previous Batman movies and other cultural references galore but they didn't always land for me. Maybe it was just trying to do too much but I didn't find it as enjoyable. Will Arnett is playing a character that is funny but super annoying in my opinion. And I understand that that's just the character, and it plays with kids, but he was getting on my nerves.Whereas Chris Pratt was a fun and playful character that really fit the personality of Lego. 

The Lego Movie (2014)

This is the best conceived animated film of the year by far.  The level of creativity on this film is at the highest level.  The dreaded super weapon is known as the Kragle, that's Krazy Glue with a few letters scratched out.  The animators have created entire cities out of Lego pieces and the characters quickly construct vehicles out of the beloved children's toys.  It looks like a really good stop motion, but it is in fact just innovative computer animation.  The visuals are just incredible.

The humor is fast-paced, clever, full of cultural references and just pure fun.  The movie is reminiscent of the cut scenes that can be found in Lego's series of video games (which I admit are quite fun).  The jokes are similar, the animation is similar, and the master builders are basically video game characters.  Whereas the video games and Lego sets separate Batman from Star Wars and pirate ships and the wild west, this film melds them all together, much to the benefit of Lego's marketing department.

The voice work is fantastic.  Chris Pratt is having a very good year.  As Emmett Brickowski, he nails the dim-witted, unassuming hero-type.  Morgan Freeman is perfect as usual as the wise mentor-type.  And Will Ferrell makes a surprise appearance in human form towards the end of the film.  Without spoilers, it is his appearance that gives the film its heart.  It was unexpected, but pleasantly thoughtful and wholly welcome.