“The Lego Movie” and “The Lego Batman Movie” have created a distinct brand for their comedy films. Though primarily targeted at children, their clever, self-aware moments and satirical hot takes included in each story have made for some of the most refreshing and fun films moviegoers of all ages have encountered in while—especially in the animation realm.
With that amount of anticipation in place and following so soon after the release of the previous Lego installation, the new addition to the collection “The Lego Ninjago Movie” proves that when these distinct qualities from their previous films miss the target, the magic dissipates thus leaving the audience with slapstick humor that few over 13-years-old will truly enjoy or remember.
Spawning from the TV series, “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu” this story, for those unfamiliar with the show, comes across as an off-brand Power Rangers film of-sorts. It follows Lloyd (Dave Franco, “21 Jump Street”) who has lived his life under the shadow of his evil father Garmadon (Justin Theroux, “American Psycho”) who is always terrorizing his home city Ninjago. Consequently, Garmodon’s destruction makes Lloyd the most hated face in the city and turns to his group of friends, the ninjas, to keep the city safe from Garmodon’s shenanigans. Although each member of the ninja team has their trademark element and strength, no one in the team really stands out in the overall story. Despite the occasional one-liner, this misuse is especially sad given the hilarious cast voicing these characters including: Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley”), Fred Armisen (“Portlandia”), Abbi Jacobson (“Broad City”) and Jackie Chan as the wise Master Wu.
The father-son story seems rehashed but still fun. It uses its premise to create these odd bonding moments which then become the funniest scenes in the film. A highlight is when Garmodon, who pronounces his son’s name as “Luh-Loyd,” is making up for lost time by teaching him how to throw but is doing so in a town near a volcano inhabited by all the henchmen he has exiled and must then reattach Lloyd’s arm after the henchmen attack them.
Overall, “The Lego Ninjago Movie,” despite being the weakest of the three Lego films, is still a cohesive visual pleasure and understands that it has freedom to be as creative as it wants. The humor is not nearly as witty as it could be but it’s not entirely diminished of the occasional delightfully bizarre moment. The cat terrorizing Ninjago ala Godzilla is definitely a highlight worth watching in its own right.
Rating: C
