We already know that The Lego Movie was a massive success with audiences as everybody fell in love with how much it surprised of all. The same goes along with The Lego Batman Movie this year with it still being one of the best-animated movies to come out this year. With the third film in this franchise The Lego Ninjago Movie, there isn’t fatigue with this yet, but maybe we should cool it next year until the next movie.
The battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd (Dave Franco), aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, also secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu (Jackie Chan), as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat the evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting father against son, the epic showdown tests these fierce but undisciplined modern-day ninjas as they learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash the inner power of Spinjitzu.
Unlike any other movie based on Legos, this wasn’t really on my radar and around the time this was coming out, I kind of forgot that this was coming out. But I am familiar with the property since this is based on the actual toy line and the Cartoon Network show, Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu. Even so, The Lego Ninjago Movie didn’t live up to expectations as this was meant for kids instead of gaining towards kids and adults.
The plot goes go for a straightforward premise that follows through on focusing on teamwork and finding you we are within ourselves. Ninjago has a basic story that’s been done before with the tough relationship between a father and son. Without that element, it would feel like an animated version of Power Rangers. It does become predictable in the process and does leave me disappointed. From an emotional standpoint, it kind of hit it near the end, but nowhere near Lego Movie.
The voice talents do lend their credibility to their animated counterparts like Franco, Theroux, Chan, Fred Armisen, Kumail Nanjiani, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Peña and Zach Woods. Probably the best ones here were Franco, Chan, and Theroux, with him being the best part as Garmadon. Chan also gets to do a live-action role, in the beginning, tell this story to a little boy.
The animation still shocks me just thinking how the animators built these sets with lego pieces along with seeing if it’s all on a computer or something. Directors Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, and Bob Logan does handle everything well enough to craft every single detail of animation to a tee. Going along with the action scenes, it was impressive with all the effort thrown into each one of them.
All of the humor really leans on the good and bad side. The first half surprisingly had some funny moments that caught me off guard like a really funny use of the Wilhelm scream. But it really dipped down afterward as the jokes weren’t getting to me since a lot of them were made towards kids. Like there’s a sequence that involves a live-action cat that didn’t get to me. Too bad it didn’t make me laugh more than the other two movies already made.
Basically, The Lego Ninjago Movie is only decent, but entertaining for someone who has a child. Not saying that this wasn’t bad, but it just shows that some of the animated movies this year haven’t survived it job. Some fun moments here and there, and it’s all it can hope for. Can’t say I’m already tired of this franchise, but I’m hoping the next film is really memorable.
The Lego Ninjago Movie is admittedly the weakest addition in the Legoverese as it passes on the animation, but lack on the hilarity.
Grade: C+
DC's Take 