“The Lego Movie” could have easily been a big-budget ad made exclusively to sell Lego toys. Instead, the result is one hundred minutes of hilarious writing, exciting visuals and just plain fun.

“The Lego Movie” follows Emmet (Chris Pratt), an average Lego construction worker who is identified as the prophesied hero ‘The Special’ by master builder Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman). Together with a group of master builders he is tasked with taking an artifact known as ‘The Piece of Resistance’ to stop the evil mastermind Lord Buisness (Will Ferrell) and his plot to rob the Lego world of creativity.

This film was visually a delight to watch. Although the film was computer generated, the movie embraced the blocky Lego style that looked almost stop motion and the end result is impressive. Even small details like Emmets Lego hair rocking up and down to simulate wind blowing through it really helped give the film a definite visual charm. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller did a great job with the visual gags in their past films “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “21 Jump Street,” and “The Lego Movie” keeps their streak of great sight gags alive and well.

One of my favorite aspects of this film besides the energetic visual style was the fantastic voice acting cast. Chris Pratt was pitch perfect as the bubbly and at times overly optimistic Emmet and Elizabeth Banks did a great job as the voice of female lead Wild Style. Even small bit characters have big names behind them, making a quick joke about Abraham Lincoln that much funnier because it is Will Forte. I thought Jonah Hill’s small role was one of the best in the film, but I will refrain from spoiling it here.

The best thing about “The Lego Movie” was its ability to completely embrace what it is while still being able to be legitimately funny and original. They have produced specific Lego sets for the film, but the message of throwing out the instructions and building something unique really lets it rise above being another quickly slapped together marketing ploy.

Overall, I absolutely loved this movie and I will be seeing it again as soon as I get the chance. The 3D effects are fantastic, the writing is consistently funny, and it even managed to make me shed a tear or two. If that is not movie gold I do not know what is.

5/5