Most Batman Movie Ever?
If, like me, you view Batman as a genre, comprising its own eras (’40s gothic, ’60s camp, ’80s and ’90s nihilistic), then The Lego Batman Movie is a stellar, timely entry with a message directed squarely at its fellow storytellers & fans who are stuck on the ’80s Dark Knight. And boy, did they (we) have it coming.
The Lego Batman Movie is a worthy sequel / sidequel to The Lego Movie (2014) – just as fun, made just as beautifully and lovingly, and, without its predecessor, it would have blown minds upon its release. Both share the same incredible animation style, and both are about friendship, family, sharing, and imagination.
Just as The Lego Movie was big on the idea that there’s room for all ideas of what Lego-building should be, The Lego Batman Movie is a celebration of all things Batman, all iterations. In comic book reader terms: this is less Frank Miller and more Grant Morrison.
A big part of the reason Lego Batman worked so delightfully in The Lego Movie was that he was part of an ensemble – an understanding the film-makers have carried over into this movie. Building (heh) on Will Arnett‘s scene-stealing work in that movie, performances are great all round, most notably Ralph Fiennes‘ endearing Alfred, and Michael Cera who, far beyond in-joke casting, gives a beating-heart-of-the-movie performance as Robin.
… oh, and: Best Batman Movie Ever is another animated one – Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. I should write a thing about that one at some point…
Further Viewing
Cinema Therapy examines the traits of narcissism through the characterisation and film-making choices in The Lego Batman Movie: