Pardon the blasphemous headline, but it wrote itself, so I’m completely absolved of any offense. Now on to the news…
As anticipated, Warner Bros.? The LEGO Movie, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, destroyed the box office with a $69.1 million (estimated) opening. Not only did it become WB?s biggest animated opening and the biggest animated February opening, it was also the second-biggest February opening of all-time trailing only Mel Gibson?s The Passion of the Christ. According to the studio?s stated figures, the film cost just $60 million to produce, which is a fraction of the cost of major studio animated features, and even less than the $76 million production cost of Despicable Me 2.
When I first saw the trailer, I first impression was it would be a stinker. Sure, the licensing tie-ins would make it tremendously successful financially, but as a feature film released in February, it was probably a wait-for-DVD movie. But as my Facebook feed filled up with glowing reviews from friends, I admit, I’m taking the kids this weekend.
It’s really really good. Enjoy it!
I agree with you. The previews that I saw made me think it was going to be filled with dumb jokes and pointless “cameos” by Lego versions of Batman and other tie-ins. However, the more clips I saw the more I think it’s going to be really clever. Good thing Dreamworks didn’t have anything to do with it. They would have ruined this film.
I’ve heard that it’s funnier than “The Passion of the Christ.”
I too thought it would be a stinker…but my career as a movie reviewer is something to be desired…it got a near record opening weekend and it’s rating 95% on Rotten Tomatoes! Go figure!
I guess I’ll see it now.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lego_movie/
And just like Jesus and Mel, it was made in Australia. (No fact-checking, please.)
My wife and I took our 4 year old twin boys to see it this weekend and we all enjoyed it immensely.
As a huge Lego nerd, myself, I was impressed with the story and animation. I definitely pulled for ’80s space lego guy’ having grown up building those sets.
I’m so used to being disappointed with movies based on toys from my childhood, I’m glad they got this one right.
This project sounded blatantly commercial and crass,I figured it was just a “throw at the wall and scoop up the dough” kind of film, but my wife and 11 year old went; he absolutely loved it and my wife, who has a low tolerance for cynical, snarky animated stuff, thought it was fun too.