It’s not easy being Batman especially a lonely Batman living literally and figuratively on an island watching Jerry Maguire and laughing by himself. We all know how cool he is and how much better he is above all other superheroes (sorry Superman) but the Dark Knight needs people, he needs friends and more importantly, he needs a family. Warning, spoilers ahead…
More of a spinoff than a sequel to the blocks-buster film The Lego Movie, Lego Batman is a visual delight that pays both respect and has sincere fun with its past Batman incarnations including all movie versions as well as Adam West’s Batman down to the comic bubbles of “pow” and “bang”. There have been many actors who have voiced Batman over the years with Kevin Conroy from Batman: The Animated Series, probably at the head of the class. But Will Arnett gives new life and a fresh spin that’s all his own. Yes he is still dark and brooding but man can he rock a guitar and sing.
Featuring the voices of Rosario Dawson as Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon, fellow Arrested Development alum Michael Cera as Dick Grayson/Robin, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker. The premise was simple yet perfectly executed. After battling Joker and defeating him, Joker insists that he and Batman need one another. They can’t exist without the other. Of course Batman completely disagrees and yet was bothered by comment nonetheless. So he decides to break into the Fortes of Solitude along with Robin to steal the Phantom Zone device that would send the Joker to Zone forever. The Phantom Zone houses some of the worst villains ever like the Wicked Witch of the West, King Kong, Dracula, the Daleks from Doctor Who, Sauron from Lord of the Rings and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, to name a few. The visual and verbal gags are comedic gold here.
There’s a nice mixture to keep both children and adults alike entertained. Bring the family, bring your friends or go on your own. Either way, everything will be awesome.
Directed by: Chris McKay
Starring: Will Arnett, Rosario Dawson, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera and Ralph Fiennes
PG 90 Mins
THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE – **** (out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
