Starring: Will Arnett, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Mariah Carey
OUR RATING: ★★★★☆
Story:
Animated spinoff action comedy directed by Chris McKay. Batman has few people in his life besides his trusty butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes), and he spends much of his time secluded in his Batcave. But everything changes when he meets Dick Grayson/Robin (Michael Cera) and Barbara Gordon/Batgirl (Rosario Dawson), which is probably for the best, considering Batman’s nemesis, the Joker (Zach Galifianakis), is still out there in the Lego universe.
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.
Best Quotes (Total Quotes: 36)
[first lines]
Batman: [voice over] Black. All important movies start with a black screen. And music. Edgy, scary music that would make a parent or studio executive nervous. And logos. Really long and dramatic logos. Warner Bros. Why not “Warner Brothers”? I don’t know. DC. The house that Batman built. Yeah, what, Superman? Come at me, bro. I’m your Kryptonite. Hmm. Not sure what RatPac does, but that logo is macho. I dig it. Okay. Get yourself ready for some reading. “If you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change. Hooo.” No. I said that. Batman is very wise. I also have huge pecs and a nine-pack. Yeah, I’ve got an extra ab. Now, let’s start the movie.
Crowd: Batman, we love you!
Batman: Thank you. I’m blushing super hard under the mask.
New Reporter: It must be great to be Batman. I can only imagine he’s going home right now to party the night away, surrounded by friends and lady active-wear models.
[Batman returns to his Batcave]
Batman: Hey, computer, I’m home.
[his voice echoes in the Batcave]
Computer: Welcome home, sir. Initializing Batcave music.
Computer: So did anything exciting happen today?
Batman: I saved the city again. It was off the chain. Anyway, I should probably have some grub.
[we see Batman quickly getting out of his suite and put a dressing gown]
Computer: Alfred left your lobster thermidor in the fridge.
Batman: Oh, that’s my favorite. I can’t wait.
[we see Batman in the kitchen putting the plate of lobster thermidor into the microwave and he presses 20 minutes]
Batman: Not twenty minutes. Stupid.
[he presses 2 minutes then watches the food as it gets heated in the microwave]
[picking up the lobster with a fork]
Batman: I deserve this today. Today I deserve it.
[he takes a big bite out of the lobster and starts chewing]
Pilot Bill: Is everything okay?
The Joker: I’m afraid Captain Dale had to bail. I’m your new co-pilot and I always come to work with a smile
[does an evil smile]
The Joker: You should be terrified.
Pilot Bill: Why?
The Joker: Because I will be taking over the city.
Pilot Bill: Mmm.
The Joker: What?
Pilot Bill: Batman will stop you.
[Joker blows a raspberry]
Pilot Bill: He always stops you
The Joker: No, he doesn’t.
Pilot Bill: What about that time with the two boats?
The Joker: This is better than the two boats.
Pilot Bill: Mmm.
The Joker: Well, tonight is going to be different! Tonight is my greatest plan yet, and trust me, Batman’s never going to see it coming, like that time with the Parade and the Prince music.
The Joker: Your city is under attack by Gotham’s greatest criminal minds. Including, The Riddler, Scarecrow…
Scarecrow: Pizza delivery.
The Joker: Bane.
Bane: Hello!
The Joker: Two-Face.
Two-Face: We need that door open, baby.
The Joker: Catwoman.
Catwoman: Meow, meow. You’re in! Meow, meow.
The Joker: It’s got to be one or the other, Batman. Save the city, or catch your greatest enemy. You can’t do both.
Batman: I’m sorry, what did you just say?
The Joker: You can’t do both, I said.
Batman: No, I mean the other thing.
The Joker: Save the city, or catch your greatest enemy.
Batman: You think you’re my greatest enemy?
The Joker: Yes! You’re obsessed with me!
[Joker blows a raspberry]
Batman: No, I’m not.
The Joker: Yes, you are.
Batman: No, I’m not.
The Joker: Yes, you are! Who else drives you to one-up them the way that I do?
Batman: Bane.
The Joker: No, he doesn’t.
Batman: Superman.
The Joker: Superman’s not a bad guy!
Batman: Then I’d say that I don’t currently have a bad guy. I am fighting a few different people.
The Joker: What?
Batman: I like to fight around.
The Joker: Okay, look, I’m fine with you fighting other people if you want do that, but what we have is special.
The Joker: Are you seriously saying there is nothing, nothing special about our relationship?
Batman: Woh. Let me tell you something, J-bird. Batman doesn’t do ‘ships.
The Joker: What?
Batman: As in “relationships.” There is no “us.” Batman and Joker are not a thing. I don’t need you. I don’t need anyone. You mean nothing to me. No one does.
Computer: What is the password?
Batman: Iron Man sucks.
Alfred Pennyworth: Were you looking at the old family pictures again?
Batman: At the what? The old family… Oh, yes! I see what you mean. Look at that! The old gang. Yeah. No, I wasn’t.
Alfred Pennyworth: I see. Sir, if you don’t mind my saying, I’m a little concerned. I’ve seen you go through similar phases in 2016 and 2012 and 2008 and 2005 and 1997 and 1995 and 1992 and 1989 and that weird one in 1966. Do you want to talk about how you’re feeling right now?
Batman: I don’t talks about feelings, Alfred. I don’t have any, I’ve never seen one. I’m a night-stalking, crime-fighting vigilante, and a heavy metal rapping machine. I don’t feel anything emotionally, except for rage. Twenty-four-seven, three hundred and sixty-five, at a million percent. And if you think that there’s something behind that, then you’re crazy. Good night, Alfred.
Alfred Pennyworth: Sir, it’s morning.
Robin: My name’s Richard Grayson, but all the kids at the orphanage call me Dick.
Batman: Well, children can be cruel.
Barbara Gordon: Batman’s been on the job for a very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very long time.
Bruce Wayne: He has aged phenomenally.
Alfred Pennyworth: Master Bruce, your greatest fear is…
Batman: Snakes?
Alfred Pennyworth: No.
Batman: It’s clowns.
Alfred Pennyworth: No. it’s being part of a family again.
Batman: Nope. Now it’s snake clown because you put that idea in my head.
Batman: Computer, how do I put The Joker in Arkham Asylum, quickest route, no freeways?
[we the computer is in sleep mode]
Batman: Computer, do you hear me?
[suddenly we see Alfred]
Alfred Pennyworth: Hello, Master Bruce. I have just taken away your computer privilege.
Batman: Gasp.
Alfred Pennyworth: Sir, it’s time for you to stop this unhealthy behavior. You can’t spend the rest of your life alone, dressed in black and staying up all night. Sir, you need to take responsibility for your life, and it starts by raising the young orphan you adopted.
Batman: I’m sorry, I literally have no idea what you’re talking about.
Alfred Pennyworth: The young orphan you adopted at the gala.
Batman: I thought I was being sarcastic.
[we see Robin peering close into the camera and whispering]
Robin: Hello, secret camera.
[as he enters the Batcave]
Robin: It’s the Batcave. Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, Oh, my gosh, oh, my…
[as he starts to freak out he stumbles into Batman]
Robin: Batman! Wow!
Batman: You’re darn right “Wow”.
Robin: Wait, does Batman live in Bruce Wayne’s basement?
Batman: No, Bruce Wayne lives in Batman’s attic.
Robin: Look, it’s the Batsub!
Batman: Don’t touch that.
Robin: The Batzeppelin!
Batman: Don’t touch that either!
Robin: It’s the Batkayak!
Batman: No.
Robin: Wow, do I get a costume?
[Robin presses red button]
Batman: Don’t touch that.
[we see a lineup of different costumes]
Computer: The Mariachi.
Robin: I like that one.
Batman: That one is culturally insensitive.
Computer: Night Terror.
Robin: What do we think of this?
Computer: Glambat.
Robin: This one.
Batman: Absolutely not!
[the next costume is called the Reggae Man]
Robin: Wait, what’s that one there?
[he puts on the Reggae Man suit]
Robin: I love it. The only trouble is these pants are just a little tight. I got an idea.
[he takes off the pants]
Robin: Rip! That’s better. Now I’m free, now I’m moving. Come on, Batman, let’s get grooving!
[he keeps shaking his naked butt at Batman]
Batman: I can only look you in the eyes right now.
Batman: So, are you ready to follow Batman and maybe learn a few life lessons along the way?
Robin: I sure am, Dad Two! But first, where’s the seat-belt?
Batman: The first lesson is, life doesn’t give you seat-belts! Let’s go!
Robin: Woo-hoo! Yes! Faster, Dad! Faster! Woo! Yeah! Woo! Yeah! Yes, yes, yes!
[we see Batman breaking really hard to avoid crashing which then propels Robin really hard into the dashboard]
Batman: Oh! Oh, my goodness. I am so sorry. Get back up in that seat. There you go.
[he puts his arm out to Robin’s chest to protect him from falling]
Batman: Hey, listen. As soon as I get back to the Batcave, I’ll make sure that Alfred puts seatbelts on there, okay? But for the time being, I’m just gonna put my arm right here. And we’re just going to gently ease out of here.
Robin: Hey, I was thinking. If I’m going to be a superhero, and go on awesome superhero missions like this one, can we use code names? Mine can be Robin.
Batman: I’m sorry, say that again?
Robin: Robin.
Batman: As in the small, Midwestern frail bird?
Robin: Yeah, and I already have a catch phrase. Tweet, tweet, on the street.
Batman: Hard pass.
Robin: And a song.
[singing]
Robin: Fly, Robin, fly.
Batman: Harder pass.
The Joker: I’m back. Introducing the worst villains in the history of the universe: The Riddler, Catwoman, Penguin, Gentleman Ghost, Calendar Man, and the Condiment King.
Pilot: Are you making some of those up?
The Joker: Nope, they’re all real.
The Joker: Hi, Batman!
Robin: No way!
The Joker: Come catch your greatest enemy.
Batman: Superman is my greatest enemy.
Robin: Superman’s not a bad guy!
Batman: Then I’d say that I don’t currently have a bad guy. I am fighting a few different people.
[Joker looks visibly upset]
Batman: I like to fight around.
The Joker: Do you want to play a game, do you, Batman? Save the city or catch your greatest enemy.
Batman: You think you’re my greatest enemy.
The Joker: What drives you to one-up the way that I do?
Batman: Superman.
The Joker: Superman’s not a bad guy!
Batman: I like to fight around.
The Joker: Are you seriously saying that there is nothing special about us?
Batman: There is no us. Never will be. Now, I gotta diffuse that bomb.
Barbara Gordon: Hi. Barbara Gordon. New police commissioner. It’s my dream for the police force to team up with Batman.
Bruce Wayne: What?!
Barbara Gordon: Wouldn’t that be better?
Bruce Wayne: I hate everything you just said.
Barbara Gordon: Is that your son?
Robin: Yes, I am.
Batman: Is that my son? No, that’s just weird.
Barbara Gordon: It’s weirder if it’s not your son.
Batman: Initialize Master Builder.
Barbara Gordon: I got it!
Robin: Here you go!
[they build a Lego aircraft]
Batman: Yes, we did it!
Robin: Why did you build this thing with only one seat?
Batman: Uh, because last I checked I only had one butt.
Batman: Let’s go defeat The Joker!
Robin: Wooh! We’re going on a family trip! I can wear my costume too!
Batman: Well, luckily for us, you left your costume back…
Robin: Rip!
[Robin rips his clothes off to reveal he’s wearing his Robin costume underneath]
Batman: Oh. No. Under your clothes. That’s perfect.
The Joker: Hold on a sec. Are you trying to tell me that Bruce Wayne is Batman’s roommate?
The Joker: Hey Batman! Joker’s home. I’m rubbing my butt all over your stuff. We’re going to have to rename this the Butt-mobile.
Batgirl: Engine one down.
Batman: Not a big deal. Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.
Batgirl: Engine two down.
Batman: It does that sometimes.
Batgirl: We’ve lost engine three.
Batman: Oh, could live without it.
Batgirl: Engine four!
Batman: That I do need to fix.
Batgirl: If you call me Batgirl, can I call you Batboy?
Batman: Shut up, Joker! If there’s no Gotham, then I’ll never get to fight you again.
The Joker: What?
Batman: You’re the reason why I get up at 4:00 in the afternoon and pump iron until my chest is positively sick.
[last lines]
Batman: Wow, that was fun! Really hope nobody was recording that. Let me see. Oh, this thing is on. This thing is recording.
Total Quotes: 36
Trailers:
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The Lego Batman Movie is the follow-up film to highly successful film The Lego Movie in 2014 and I was excited for the film as it focuses on the Batman which made a brief cameo in the 2014 film. Also as Lego has played a huge part in my life growing up, I had high expectations for the film. The film uses highly recognisable voices from Hollywood which features a stellar cast of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes.
The film opens with the Batman voiced by Will Arnett narrating the film and providing a commentary in assimilating the audience into the world of Batman while stereotyping the opening scenes of films. The film takes place mostly in Gotham city but does feature iconic locations in the comic book world such as Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and the Phantom Zone. However, I found that the film struggles to continue to captivate grown-ups as the humour of the Batman wears thin towards the ending of the film. The positive aspect is the banter of Robin who is voiced by Michael Cera that continues to engage the audience.
While watching the film, be prepared to notice many DC villains that I guess I have to buy the physical copy of the film to identify all the villains that were showcased. I laughed out loud when we were introduced to the other motley crew of villains such as Voldermort, Godzilla, Sauron, Agent Smith, King Kong, the Gremlins and other pop culture icons. It was weird to have a crossover of other icons not from the DC universe and it looked like they were out of place, mostly. I mean how all the other villains end up in the phantom zone. I was not sure that the crossover effect worked to the film’s advantage as I would have liked to see more Justice League action sequences instead.
Some of the dialogue could be improved as the Joker was not menacing enough to strike fear into the hearts of the Batman to make him seem like a tangible threat. Though the Joker was his usual scheming self to get Batman to notice him, it was a little too forced and as one of the main villains, I expected him to play a larger role in antagonizing Batman. The over-used formula of saving Gotham city from the plans of the Joker does not bring anything new to the storyline which is why the ending of the movie felt a little cliché and out of place.
The film is not all too gloom and doom as there are positive highlights such as the fact that Bruce Wayne is given as much screen-time as Batman. We get a closer look at the Bruce Wayne persona and I wished that the live action Batman movie will utilize more of Batman’s detective and gadget inventory like they did in The Lego Batman Movie. The soundtrack of the film was amazing as the songs were memorable and catchy which complimented Batman’s over confident bravado in trying to save the whole city by himself.
Children will enjoy the film as it has child-friendly fight scenes complete with sound effects from the 80s Batman series. Though the film tried its best to incorporate most of Batman’s infamous villains, they even had the Tom Hardy sounding Bane in there, probably to poke fun at The Dark Knight Rises. Batman fans would appreciate this film after the mixed responses of DC’s slate of films such as Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman. The film shines in its first half but its supporting cast struggles to keep up with the momentum with the main cast which is Batman and Robin. I would say that this film will probably save the DC universe in a small way and probably in bigger ways if it performs well at the box office. I am glad and relieved that the director, Chris McKay and film makers know what they are doing with the Lego franchise as it appeals to die-hard batman fans and children alike.
Batman also pulls a punch at the Marvel Universe with, “Iron Man Sucks” in the Batcave scene which I hope that the DC universe can pull itself together for its upcoming slate of movies. The Lego Batman Movie has fast pacing and spins out of control with its visual effects and flying Lego pieces. I would recommend this movie if you are suffering from a bad week of stress as this is a film to watch if you just want a whole lot of silliness and cool Batman dialogue. Add in a little emotional storytelling and you have a got a funny and witty film that will “fight around” other films that are opening in cinemas as Batman would put it. Just remember that, “Batman lives in Bruce Wayne’s Attic and Bruce Wayne lives in Batman’s Basement.”
Rating: 4/5