The Lego Batman Movie Review Roundup

02/04/2017 10:57 am EST

The LEGO Movie was well received by general audiences, but if you ask a certain nameless vigilante why fans loved it so much, it was because Batman was in it.

Now he gets the chance to shine on his own, and the reviews are starting to come in rather favorably. If you couldn't tell from the myriad of television spots and clips, The LEGO Batman Movie prioritizes punch lines and comedy, and that looks like that strategy is working.

Robbie Cullen of the Daily Telegraph says "There are around four (great) films' worth of action and jokes here, crammed into a story so streamlined it might have been assembled in the Lockheed wind tunnel." Richard Trenholm (CNET) also believes humor and lightheartedness are the film's strengths, saying "Lego Batman doesn't worry about canon, continuity, logic. The only thing that matters is fun. It doesn't make any sense. Except it totally does, because, well...because Lego."

"Every scene is studded with all types of gags – from smart allusions to silly stuff, sight gags and innuendo, " says IGN. "Even if they don't all quite land, the script is so rapid-fire, you never have to wait long for a decent laugh to come along." That rapid fire tactic seems to cover up the main issue with most reviewers, who feel that the film does lack the sheer amount of heart that the original LEGO Move contained. It's not for lack of tryin, though, and many are quite receptive to the tale of family that exists here, it just doesn't seem to resonate as much as LEGO's previous effort.

Also apparent is how much critics prefer this thoroughly fun romp through DC's universe as opposed to the darker and more realistic in tone cinematic universe. James Mottram of the South China Morning Post says "With the upcoming Justice League film alluded to, you're left wishing its director Zack Snyder was using Lego bricks and not humans." Turns out he's not the only critic who feels this way, and plenty of fans are assuredly in agreement.

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made The LEGO Movie a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker's hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Will Arnett reprises his starring role from The LEGO Movie as the voice of LEGO Batman, aka Bruce Wayne. Zach Galifianakis (Hangover films) stars as The Joker; Michael Cera (TV's Arrested Development) as the orphan Dick Grayson; Rosario Dawson (TV's Daredevil) as Barbara Gordon; and Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter films) as Alfred.

The LEGO Batman Movie is directed by Chris McKay and produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Roy Lee, who worked together on The LEGO Movie. It is written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, with additional screenplay material by Jared Stern & John Whittington, based on LEGO Construction Toys. Jill Wilfert, Matthew Ashton and Will Allegra serve as executive producers.

The LEGO Batman Movie will open in theaters on February 10, 2017.

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