Today’s quick review: Lego DC Batman: Family Matters. Shortly after Batman (Troy Baker) gives up his alter ego as Bruce Wayne to fight crime full-time, the Red Hood (Jason Spisak) teams up with Two Face (Christian Lanz) to set a trap for Batman and his allies. Now Robin (Scott Menville), Nightwing (Will Friedle), Batgirl (Alyson Stoner), and Batwoman (Tara Strong) must help Batman defuse five bombs before Gotham explodes.
Lego DC Batman: Family Matters is a family animated superhero comedy that very loosely adapts the Red Hood storyline from the comics. Batman has to face his failures as a friend and a mentor when a villain with a grudge targets Bruce and his family. Family Matters benefits from the light tone and creative freedom of other Lego movies. However, its plot is a mishmash of ideas that do not quite work together.
At its best, Family Matters puts a creative and kid-friendly spin on the DC Universe. The portrayal of Batman as an ultra-serious crime-fighter just waiting to get out of his duties as Bruce Wayne is charming. Dedicated fans will notice some clever references to characters and storylines from other DC media. And while the use of Lego limits the action, Family Matters does manage to keep its large cast busy.
Where Family Matters gets into trouble is its story. Pitting the Red Hood against Batman’s family works out fine, but the plot surrounding it is messy. Family Matters picks three separate storylines and jams them together, resulting in an unfocused opening and a final act that goes off in a very different direction. The story is not meant to be deep, but it only feels cohesive for a brief segment in the middle.
Lego DC Batman: Family Matters is an enjoyable enough watch for fans who like the characters, but it’s missing the craftsmanship needed to make full use of the world it is playing in. If you are a fan of the other Lego superhero movies, Family Matters is worth a watch: flawed but fun. Fans of the more serious side of the character may want to steer clear, though, as the movie doesn’t do anything to win over more critical viewers.
For a more serious adaptation of the Red Hood storyline, try Batman: Under the Red Hood. For a bigger-budget Lego take on Batman, check out The Lego Batman Movie. For a Lego superhero comedy in a similar vein, try Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash. For a kid-friendly take on Batman with a grab bag of villains, try the Batman Unlimited series.
[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10327712/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for sporadic charm with an unfocused story.