The Lego Movie, by guest reviewer Cara Clarke

Year: 2014 

Genre: Animation

The parameters of this review are that it should be readable within five minutes, so I’ll forgo a prolonged introduction and jump straight in…

Avoiding any spoilers, the storyline has a twist at the end which explores the link between the real world and the Lego world. This neatly explained the background of the characters and attempted to convey a moral to the film in terms of the creative value of Lego to a child’s development. The ending also suggests that Lego can advance family bonding between parent and child. In short, the film was a not-so-subtle advertisement singing the joys of Lego which would have you believe it could save the world. However, this was not entirely unexpected – it is a film based on a branded toy; of course it will showcase it in the best possible way.

Despite this, the film can be enjoyed in various ways. Children will enjoy the animated action and seeing Lego figures they have at home come to life on the big screen. Adults may draw parallels with the storyline and a wider picture of governmental oppressions within society. I did wonder if this ‘deeper meaning’ was merely a thinly-veiled attempt to appease parents by disguising the main core of the film – advertising toys to children. In the end I decided it didn’t matter. I chose to watch the film without thinking of hidden undertones, double meanings and real world parallels, and chose to enjoy it as a simple cartoon.

My favourite section of the film was set in Cloud Cuckoo Land, a place made of rainbows and clouds where only fun and happiness exists. As a girl who likes pink and sparkles, I’d quite like to live in a place like that! Conversely, my favourite character was an old piece of Lego, the 1980s spaceman who struggled with post-80s technology. A nice piece of nostalgia, he was scuffed and tatty with a broken helmet, just as the Lego of our youth would be if we still had it today. The film was rated U, and stated that it contained ‘fantasy violence and very mild language’. I wondered how bad language could be incorporated into a film about Lego. A character accidentally standing barefoot on a piece would definitely incur a swearword or two. But no, the use of bad language is indeed ‘darny darn darn’ mild.   

Jokes are packed into this film, most of which will only be appreciated by the adults watching it. The characters are enjoyable, the plot is fun – it’s a nice piece of escapism. We saw the film in 3D and I must say I can’t recommend this. 3D technology isn’t integral to the storyline in the way it is for Avatar or Gravity. Yes, it was exploited in various scenes with bullets whizzing past and towers of Lego blocks tumbling, but was it worth the extra £3 on the ticket price? No. Being a glasses wearer I had to do the double-glasses-whammy-thing, which makes me look ridiculous. Not good.

3/5 stars

About Time

Year: 2013
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
 

'At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think'.

Cross 'Four Weddings' with 'Groundhog Day', and you have Richard Curtis's latest movie, 'About Time'. Aimed predominantly at the American market, the film follows Domhall Gleesons's character Tim's ability to go back in time to perfect the pulling technique and lines required in his pursuit Rachael McAdams character Mary. 

As in previous Curtis works, the English stereotype is cranked up to the maximum as we see Tim's family live in a perfect idyllic Cornwall countryside mansion and spend their afternoons having picnic by the sea. Little or nothing is seen of the middle / lower classes but then again I suppose we have Benefits Street for that now, should it take our fancy. 

The chemistry between Gleenson and McAdams is believable, and works perfectly. Gleesons Father / Son scenes, played by an excellent Bill Nighy are also noteworthy with the melancholic second half of the film suggesting no amount of travelling through time can take away from living for the moment instead of trying to change the past. 

If you fancy something different from the recent swathe of recent heavy going best Oscar contender films, this may well fill the gap. Never overly sentimental in it's message, both sexes will enjoy this, and it makes for a refreshingly comfortable couple of hours viewing. 

3.5 Stars

Dunk.