The LEGO Batman Movie: A Hilarious and Heartfelt Superhero Parody
A brilliant animated action-comedy that playfully spoofs the adventures of Batman and a host of other iconic comic book superheroes.
Batman thrives as Gotham’s savior, finding true happiness only in battling villains. While adored by the city’s residents, he struggles with loneliness in his personal life. Despite this, Batman insists he needs no one and functions perfectly alone. However, when the Joker breaches the Phantom Zone, unleashing a horde of Warner Bros.’ most formidable villains—from Sauron to Voldemort—Batman must confront the reality that even the greatest superhero needs assistance. He finds support in his loyal butler Alfred, his adopted son Robin, and the new police commissioner, Barbara Gordon.
Those who dismiss Hollywood’s comic book adaptations as shallow often overlook the genuine, universal narratives at their core. Superman embodies the immigrant’s journey of self-discovery in a new land, while Batman delves into the psyche of a loner, deeply scarred by the loss of his parents, struggling to open his heart to others. He may appear invincible, but his steely exterior masks a vulnerable soul.
While Chris McKay has extensive experience with stop-motion animation, “The LEGO Batman Movie” is entirely computer-animated. Nearly all LEGO elements are modeled after existing figures and panels.
This new comedic animated film from the creators of “The LEGO Movie” doesn’t bury Batman’s underlying themes; it brings them to the forefront. Given free rein by Warner Bros. and DC Comics to portray Batman with irony rather than reverence, director Chris McKay (“Robot Chicken”) and Warner Animation Group gleefully deconstruct the superhero, showcasing both his strengths and flaws.
Their Batman can dispatch an army of Joker’s henchmen with flair and bombast, set to a driving soundtrack. However, when he returns home to heat up lobster in the microwave (Bruce Wayne may be a billionaire, but he’s also a bachelor), his profound loneliness is more palpable than in any other Batman film or series. Even Alfred struggles to reach him, as Bruce stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that anything is amiss. Only in the film’s climax, after numerous exploits, adventures, and setbacks, does Wayne admit his cowardice and selfishness in pushing away those who are willing to love him and fight alongside him.
Barbara Gordon is traditionally depicted as a white woman, but in the animated film, she is portrayed as Black, voiced by Rosario Dawson.
More Than Just a Comedy
This psychological depth, coupled with the film’s portrayal of Wayne’s relationships with Robin, Alfred, and Barbara, imbues “The LEGO Batman Movie” with genuine heart and soul. These elements perfectly complement the film’s comedic essence. “The LEGO Batman Movie” gleefully and wittily parodies all previous screen and comic book incarnations of Batman. It’s packed with both obvious and subtle references, and the more you know about DC Comics mythology, the more you’ll enjoy the film’s jokes. However, the film also features enough universal humor to ensure that audiences can laugh heartily, even with limited knowledge of Warner’s most popular superhero and his many adversaries and allies.
Action-Packed Animation
The film is also a triumph as an animated action movie. Despite being composed of LEGO bricks and figures, it manages to be more visually stunning than many recent live-action blockbusters. Can a regular Batman assemble a new super-plane from mid-air parts on the fly? The LEGO Batman can, and much more that Christian Bale could only dream of.
Since LEGO figures, even computer-animated ones, are cheaper than famous actors, the film’s action sequences feature a veritable horde of colorful characters from Warner’s comics and films. Where else will you see Batman battling Godzilla, Voldemort, Sauron, and Agent Smith? This alone makes “The LEGO Batman Movie” a dream come true for young fans of fantasy cinema. And the film has many other virtues…
In short, Warner Animation Group has created one of the best blockbusters of the year – a daring, hilarious, and at times touching and insightful film. Could we have imagined just five years ago that we would be praising a film created to sell as many LEGO sets as possible in such glowing terms? Of course not. But McKay’s animators have once again exceeded expectations.