Most critical reviews of Lego 2nd find that it fails to stack up to the first film. However, that comparison is like putting apples next to oranges. They are both fruit and they art both colorful and round; similarly both TLM the Lego 2nd are about Lego's and the existential connection between toys and reality. By the way, so are the Toy Story films. But nobody showed up complaining that TLM wasn't up to Toy Story standards, even the lowered standards of TS3. Character continuity is what we expect to drive a sequel. But the continuity here is based on the same formula archetype. Sentient Lego's dance and sing. That's it.
And what else could they do in Lego 2nd when, frankly, character depth wasn't exactly a huge part of TLM's original success. Emmet was a loser, Wild Child was awesome. Was there anything beyond that really? Well, of course there were cameos, and you'll get them as well in Lego 2nd. Lord Business even has a cameo or two. And we find out where the fixation with pant's comes from. But what remains is the glitzy pop musical numbers. If you want a character driven sequel, go see Lego Batman... But if you want to watch block shaped toys zoom around and sing, this is it. There is the mandatory emotional theme. The emotional payoff is surprisingly poignant. Hint: it has to do with the dynamic between siblings in a family.
Overall, your kids will enjoy it. The music will get your toes tapping just like the first film. But you will feel somewhat used for having paid the price of admission for four to the theater when you could have sat at home and watched the copy of the original film you own while making popcorn in your own microwave for 25 cents per bag, and your toes would have been tapping just as much.
And what else could they do in Lego 2nd when, frankly, character depth wasn't exactly a huge part of TLM's original success. Emmet was a loser, Wild Child was awesome. Was there anything beyond that really? Well, of course there were cameos, and you'll get them as well in Lego 2nd. Lord Business even has a cameo or two. And we find out where the fixation with pant's comes from. But what remains is the glitzy pop musical numbers. If you want a character driven sequel, go see Lego Batman... But if you want to watch block shaped toys zoom around and sing, this is it. There is the mandatory emotional theme. The emotional payoff is surprisingly poignant. Hint: it has to do with the dynamic between siblings in a family.
Overall, your kids will enjoy it. The music will get your toes tapping just like the first film. But you will feel somewhat used for having paid the price of admission for four to the theater when you could have sat at home and watched the copy of the original film you own while making popcorn in your own microwave for 25 cents per bag, and your toes would have been tapping just as much.