Month: September 2020

Today’s quick review: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Five years after an invasion by aliens from the Systar System, Bricksburg has been reduced to an apocalyptic wasteland. Undaunted by the gritty changes to his friends and home, Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt) continues to look on the bright side. But when Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (Tiffany Haddish) kidnaps Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) and the rest of his friends, Emmet has to grow up quickly to save them.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is an animated family comedy based on Lego toys. The Lego Movie 2 is cut from the same cloth as the first film, sharing its fast pacing, sharp dialogue, inventive premise, and energetic, self-aware humor. Several new additions to the universe and different themes help the sequel carve out an identity for itself. However, a less immersive world and a shakier story make it a step down from the original.

The Lego Movie 2 makes for a peculiar sequel. Where the first movie was an eclectic love letter to Lego toys and children’s creativity, the sequel shifts its focus to themes of family and growing up. The new focus works well enough, but it leads to a top-down story that’s more narrowly constrained and less satisfying overall, in contrast to the sprawling quest and brilliant revelations of the first film.

For all that, The Lego Movie 2 is still a hilarious comedy and a worthy sequel. Its rapid-fire jokes score plenty of hits, its colorful characters are fun to watch in action, and its self-aware humor and pop culture references are handled with rare skill. There’s less emphasis on Lego designs this time around but still plenty of creativity on display. The whole package is tied up nicely by a comedically talented voice cast and a few clever songs.

Watch The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part when you’re in the mood for an upbeat, entertaining romp. Though it doesn’t hit its target as squarely as the first film, it remains a solid pick that has plenty to offer adults and children alike. Viewers should approach with caution, however, since the changes to the story and world will be hit-or-miss. For another movie with the same formula, try The Lego Movie or The Lego Batman Movie.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fun humor that’s missing some of the shine of the original.

“These go to eleven.” —Nigel Tufnel

Today’s quick review: This Is Spinal Tap. Documentary director Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) sets out to document Spinal Tap, a British rock band, on their latest tour of America. Along the way, band members David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) reflect on their careers and drop pearls of wisdom about rock. But the band hits a rough patch as flagging interest threatens to sink their tour.

This Is Spinal Tap is a music comedy that spoofs the rock bands of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Framed as a documentary about the fictional band Spinal Tap, This Is Spinal Tap offers a glimpse behind the curtain at the not-so-glamorous lifestyle of a trio of fading rock legends. There’s little in the way of plot or drama, just funny characters, clever bits, affectionate jabs at the rock genre, and the gradual derailment of the band’s American tour.

This Is Spinal Tap is a blisteringly effective parody with the perfect vehicle for poking fun at the excesses of rock music. The members of Spinal Tap are drawn to noise, sex, and controversy in an amped-up version of the hard rock dream. That their careers are on the rocks, their brilliant ideas are nothing of the sort, and their tour is plagued by setback after setback hardly daunts them. The film is packed with memorable gags and larger-than-life characters.

Watch This Is Spinal Tap when you’re in the mood for something light, clever, and iconic. How much you get out of it will depend on your taste in humor and how invested you are in the rock scene. At a bare minimum, This Is Spinal Tap is a breezy watch that earns some honest laughs and has little downside for trying. For the right viewer, it goes well beyond that, with a cavalcade of brilliant, understated humor and lines worth quoting.

For a similar flavor of parody, try Wayne’s World. For a comedy of the same caliber about the workplace, try Office Space.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for quotable comedy with considerable cult potential.