The LEGO Movie brought new and rekindled interest in the legendary construction toy last year, and for some just made them feel like they were right all along as avid fans. As a result, the notoriously shy Danish toy maker has become a little more open to the approaches of film makers. The first of what could be many films about the iconic toy is narrated by Jason Bateman, directed by Kief Davidson and Daniel Junge.
Adults and children alike will click with this upbeat documentary, err… excuse me, brickumentary about the colorful construction toy. But it was hard not to see the film, occasionally, as an extended commercial. And with plenty of people exclaiming “Awesome” in this movie, you can’t help but drift back to the aforementioned The LEGO Movie.
Brickumentary explores the world that’s beyond the store shelves and children’s play rooms. We see master builders (yes, they’re real), artists and creative minds that ensure you’ll never look at these little pieces of plastic the same way again.
As mentioned, Jason Bateman narrates as a minifigure acting as a guide of sorts as he takes us from learning about the company’s roots and their climb to the top, and admitted failures. The filmmakers made sure to include background on when the company lost its way in 2003 by backing prefab figures rather than build-it-yourself construction sets.
While there is plenty of information about the different sets available, those that aren’t standard, and their backgrounds, including the mechanics behind making a life-size LEGO Star Wars X-wing Starfighter, the film also explores what a powerful tool the plastic pieces have in the lives of children with challenges such as autism.
While I may be a little biased due to my passion for the puzzle that the LEGO sets present, especially when they come in some of my favorite intellectual properties, I do think it is worth taking a look at the history of the beloved toy that brings smiles to faces across the world. Including mine.
4 stars out of 5
