By Four years after the award-winning The LEGO Movie premiered, here comes the fun sequel The LEGO Movie 2. Produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Roy Lee, the team behind the LEGO film franchise since The LEGO Movie, and by Jinko Gotoh, actors Chris Pratt (Emmet), Elizabeth Banks (Lucy) (aka Wyldstyle), Will Arnett (LEGO Batman), Alison Brie (Unikitty), Nick Offerman (MetalBeard), and Charlie Day (Benny) reprise their roles in the follow-up movie. In The LEGO Movie 2 they’re joined by Tiffany Haddish and Stephanie Beatriz as new characters Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi and General Mayhem, respectively, and by Maya Rudolph.
I caught the advance screening of The LEGO Movie 2 the other day, and here are reasons why you shouldn’t miss this animated film…don’t worry, no spoilers.
THE NEW CHARACTERS
Like I mentioned earlier, there are new characters in the movie: Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi and General Mayhem. Voiced by the funny Tiffany Hadish, Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi, Empress of the Systar System, is an ever-changing mass of multi-colored bricks that assume any configuration she desires, from big to small, from cute and familiar to strange and intimidating. The long-time comedian is known for movies Girls Trip, Night School, and TV series The Last O.G.. She’s easily my favorite character in the movie because of her witty humor. Another new character is General Mayhem voiced by Stephanie Beatiz. She’s known for playing Detective Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine Nine. Another character to watch out for would be Rex Dangervest, a space pilot of the Rexcelsior and a self-described galaxy-defending archeologist, cowboy and raptor trainer. The quintessential super-cool tough guy, complete with swagger and just the right amount of chin stubble. This wild-card was also voiced by Chris Pratt. By the way, watch out for other cameo characters and voices in the movie.
THE CATCHY TUNES
If you think the song “Everything is Awesome” is an instant earworm, there’s a number of new songs in The LEGO Movie 2 that has the potential to be its successor. The film includes a number of original songs written by Jon Lajoie, as well as “Super Cool,” written and performed by Beck, featuring Robyn, with a rap written and performed by The Lonely Island, that plays over the end credits to send audiences off with a smile. I stayed until the end because of the end credit song, you should too.
VISUALLY STIMULATING
The LEGO Movie 2 explodes with color, whimsical design and music with a party vibe. The latest batch of bricks featured in the movie includes the 2019 debut of the new color Vibrant Coral. The colorful and sweet talking LEGO DUPLO, the bricks designed for kids from 2 to 5 years old, were also featured in this second offering as invaders of Bricksburg, the LEGO town where Emmet lived.
GOOD FOR ALL AGES
Aside from its witty humor, one of my favorites would be The LEGO Movie 2’s value of play. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you’d learn a valuable lesson from the animated film. It tackled messages from the importance of looking at the brighter side of life to working together as a team, trusting your friends to not losing your imagination.
Directed by Mike Mitchell (Trolls, Sky High, Shrek Forever After), The LEGO Movie 2 is out now in cinemas nationwide. Featuring the brilliant voices of Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, and Charlie Day. The LEGO Movie 2 is from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Stills from Warner Bros. Pictures
Denise J. Mallabo 