The Lego Batman Movie
There are very few DC movies you can watch with the whole family. Most of them are too dark and intense for little ones, or they are so child-friendly that they no longer seem like a superhero movie at all. This has been a source of much angst in my house since both my kids under the age of 5 love superheroes but never get to watch any movies. However, after much searching, I have finally found the DC superhero movie that the whole family can watch, Lego Batman
While Lego Batman isn’t strictly part of the DC Cinematic universe cannon or as beloved in nerd culture as the Batman animated shows and movies, it is in its own way, something unique and brilliant that I believe the world needs more of.
Batman works alone, at least that is what he always says to Alfred or a member of the Justice League he is working with, but Lego Batman is very serious about working alone. Lego Batman doesn’t let anyone in, ever. Traditionally Alfred helps Batman with his missions but not Lego Batman he has replaced Alfred with a computer, leaving Alfred to just be a butler. He doesn’t work with the Justice League anymore (they throw the reunion party without him) and Batman appalled at the idea of working with the police to protect Gotham. It seems like Batman is anti relationships in general, during one of their epic battles, the Joker says something about how he is Batman’s ultimate nemesis, implying that he and Batman have a special relationship and Batman loses it, insisting that the Joker means nothing to him. He goes on to say feels nothing towards him and won’t even say that he hates Joker. Joker is hurt and spirals, more than normal, and a little like a broken-hearted girlfriend, in an effort to be so evil that Batman will have to hate him.
Lego Batman is the classic story of Batman learning to trust and lean on his friends (Robin, Alfred, and Batgirl) as he navigates a huge invasion of all of his “C-level villains” threatening to take over Gotham. It also addresses Batman’s fear of losing people he cares about after his parent’s untimely death. While this is a pretty well-trodden path for a Batman movie, it is the heart of the character and while everything is heightened and sillier in the Lego universe, the traditional emotional hurdles Batman has to overcome are still present.
What makes Lego Batman enjoyable for kids and adults alike, is its self-aware sense of humor. They not only constantly mock older Batman shows and movies but just superheroes in general (Batman’s password to his Batcave is “Iron Man Sucks”). The creators don’t take themselves or the cannon too seriously. They know that there is a real DC villain named Condiment Man who shoots ketchup and mustard and they gleefully poke fun at it. None of their pokings is meanspirited which makes it more fun. It is clear that the people who made this movie love DC heroes and villains and also know that they are dorky. It is important for fans and creators alike to embrace the dual nature of the superhero genre. There are serious stories about real emotional questions and problems juxtaposed with some of the dorkiest and silliest nonsense written. Surprisingly, the Lego format fits that duality perfectly. Don’t get me wrong, this movie is just pure silliness at times. Lego Batman loves to beatbox and write his own music and Bat Shark Repellent is proven useful yet again. Ultimately, Batman’s Abs and teamwork save the day (mostly the abs). This silliness is what makes this a new fun take on Batman.
There are some very uncomfortable moments in Lego Batman. A few examples include when Robin takes off his pants to fully embrace the boy wonder look or Batman’s blatant sexism. This is very prevalent when it comes to Barbara Gordon (the new commissioner and Batgirl). Batman talks over her, refuses to let her lead, and sometimes just walks in front of her to push her out of any conversation. He does eventually work with her but without addressing his arrogant and sexist behavior. Some of these gags were to get a laugh or to comment on the superhero stereotypes, and some were to prove just how much Batman needs to change. Ultimately, those moments were just awkward and not particularly funny. They did succeed in making me dislike Lego Batman and hope that he changes. The movie never really addressed his sexism and there were no apparent consequences for those actions. All of Batman’s other bad behavior is called out as a punchline and then the story moves on. As a note, Bruce Wayne is traditionally a womanizer and Batman is traditionally respectful of women and is not threatened by authority. So what we were here in regards to his treatment of Bat Girl is a uniquely Lego Batman thing.
There is something special about watching a movie that parents and kids as young as 3 can enjoy. Lego Batman is not a brilliant work of art by any stretch of the imagination, it is absurd and at times crass and cringy. The story is simple and while it is a slightly different, more man-child version of Batman, the battle between Joker and Batman, and his constant struggle to find the balance between putting everyone he loves in mortal danger and being miserable and alone, is classic Batman, possibly to the point of being overdone. However, it is laugh-out-loud funny, and overall teaches a good lesson about love and loss in the way that Batman has for generations. If you know and love the DC Cinematic universe there will be more easter eggs than you can count and if you don’t, there will still be plenty of references and some familiar voices to enjoy. There is value in a movie that brings a family together and allows them to laugh and have fun and that my friends, is just what I think Lego Batman does.
Content Overview
Language: Crap, Darn, Robin does say “Holy (Insert nonsense here) Batman”
Sexual Content: Both Robin and Batman take off their pants in front of people either to change into their costumes or just to get more comfortable, it isn’t sexual in nature, but is a bit weird.
Violence: Lego bricks go flying as battles between good and evil ensue, but the best part about Lego movies is that no one ever really gets hurt because they can be always built again.
Objectionable content: Batman is disrespectful, arrogant, and thoughtless, generally he is not an example of a hero that young children should emulate or admire
