Yesterday evening I sat down with my girlfriend and two of our friends to take in the 'The Lego Batman Movie', and it was absolutely hilarious! This movie does everything so right, taking the entirety of the Batman franchise, putting it together with the outlandish humor that was a part of 'The Lego Movie', mix in a stellar voice cast and the end result is non-stop laughs!
'The Lego Batman Movie' is chock full of references to everything Batman, from the vast history of the character in the comics, to his many years of being both a presence in TV and movies, and there are plenty of other nerdy Easter Eggs thrown in as well (no spoilers, everyone who has not seen this movie will need to see it to pick out the Easter Eggs themselves).
Will Arnett returns once more as the whining, outrageous voice of this iteration of the Dark Knight, bringing a lot more depth to the character within the confines of the Lego Universe. Michael Cera joins as the other half of the Dynamic Duo, a plucky and overly eager to please/be loved Dick Grayson/Robin who is very fond of gasping in excitement at things and has insane energy (even for a Lego figure).
Added into the mix is Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, still the stoic and wisdom dispensing butler that he is in the comic books and every other media that he's appeared in thus far. With one major difference, this version of Batman's loyal butler isn't above being more involved in keeping "Master Bruce" from going down a lonely road of sadness and despair. With Rosario Dawson as the voice of Barbara Gordon (newly minted Commissioner of Gotham City Police), fans are given a character who is very passionate about making a difference in Gotham, and in pursuing that goal, discovers along the way what happens when you team with Batman to save the day (pure awesome that is what happens).
Stepping into the purple suit and madness of The Joker is none other then Zach Galifianakis, and while I admit I was skeptical (I am spoiled growing up with Mark Hamill as the voice of the Joker and I am not sorry for that), he brought his own brand of mayhem to the Clown Prince of Crime, and he did a bang up job of it too.
Whether you see it with your loved one, your kids, family or friends, 'The Lego Batman Movie' provides endless laughs for audiences, both fans and non-fans of Batman and his entire everything. It's a must see, feel good, fun-loving movie that will make you wanting to watch it again and again and again.
