Like The LEGO Movie from which it was spawned, The LEGO Batman Movie is a weird and clever stop-motion animated movie that’s like the Robot Chicken DC Comics episodes if that show had a bigger budget, a longer runtime, and was made for all-ages. Well, maybe not that good. But if you enjoyed The LEGO Batman Movie when you saw it in theaters, you’ll like it just as much at home, whether you get the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, the 3D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, or even the DVD, as they all come packed with fun extras that include even more of The Dork Knight.
For those who didn’t see it in theaters, The LEGO Batman Movie has The Caped Crusader’s one-man war on crime coming to an abrupt halt with the sudden surrender of The Joker (Zach Galifianakis, who was ironically in Birdman), who takes The Ridler (Conan O’Brien), Bane (comedian Doug Benson), and the rest of Batman’s rogue’s gallery down with him. But what really throws Batsy’s life for a loop is the arrival of the accidentally adopted Dick Grayson (Superbad‘s Michael Cera).
As you’d expect if you saw The LEGO Movie, Batman in The LEGO Batman Movie is a fun mix of arrogance and idiocy, kind of like Space Ghost when he was a talk show host in Space Ghost: Coast To Coast. And, of course, most of the credit for that belongs to Will Arnett (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows), who has the gravitas of Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) and the emotional depth of a petulant four-year old.
But it’s not just Arnett who makes The LEGO Batman Movie work. Supporting him in this caper are such equally talented voice actors as Rosario Dawson (Daredevil) as Barbara Gordon, the aforementioned Galifianakis and Cera, and Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter) as Alfred.
As fun and funny as The LEGO Batman Movie may be, though, it also serves as both an homage and a parody of every other Batman movie and the ’60s TV show, while also taking the piss out of the common tropes in Batman’s entire oeuvre. Though it also has fun shootouts to such non-Batman stuff as Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Gremlins, and other things that have also been made into LEGO playsets…and some things that aren’t. Well, unless I missed the LEGO Matrix mini figs.
The thing is, while The LEGO Batman Movie is pretty funny, it’s not as much of a laugh riot as The LEGO Movie. This is somewhat due to it having a script that isn’t as clever, and is far too reliant on in-jokes and references. But it’s also rather heavy handed with its underlying message of needing other people and family. And while there’s are some poignant moments, which give the story emotional resonance, there’s also times when it gets serious in an action movie kind of way, which doesn’t work when your hero is a blockhead.
While The LEGO Batman Movie may not be the best thing since shark repellant, the Blu-rays and DVD do have a ton of extras that will satisfy even casual fans of the film. Well, mostly.
First up, The LEGO Batman Movie Blu-rays and DVD have a running commentary by director Chris McKay (who, coincidentally, worked on Robot Chicken), and twenty members of the crew. But while it is informative, the lack of any cast members, especially Forte, makes it less interesting than it could’ve been. Though it would’ve been even better if Forte had done it in character, and Batman hated the movie.
Next, The LEGO Batman Movie Blu-rays and DVD have four deleted scenes. Though like the cut bits from most animated movies, these aren’t fully animated, some are just rough drawings, and one doesn’t even feature the real cast. They’re also devoid of any context and commentary, so there’s no explanation as to from where or why they were cut. Still, they’re pretty funny.
Along with these deleted scenes, The LEGO Batman Movie Blu-rays and DVD also have a ton of animated shorts, including four that are new to this collection, as well as a bunch made to promote the movie. There’s even a couple that parody DVD extras, including “Behind The Bricks,” in which Batman, Alfred, Robin, and The Joker talk about the filming the movie. All of which are pretty funny, especially the one where we see Batman and the other characters at the movie’s Comic-Con panel.
As for those who like to see how the sausage is made, The LEGO Batman Movie Blu-rays and DVD also have two informative making-of featurettes: “One Brick At A Time: Making The LEGO Batman Movie” and “Brick By Brick: Making The LEGO Batman Movie.” Both of which are self-explanatory, with the former talking to the crew and the latter dealing with the cast. But neither are as entertaining as the quickie “Me And My Mini Fig” in which Dawson, Arnett, and Cera get to see their character’s LEGO figures.
Lastly, The LEGO Batman Movie Blu-rays and DVD has the movie’s trailers, one of which comes with an intro by Batman. While may not seem like a big deal, but as someone who believes a movie’s Blu-ray or DVD should present the complete picture of a film, I appreciate that they’re included here.
In the end, The LEGO Batman Movie is a fun but flawed movie that will delight kids and make adults chuckle, especially if they’re fans of The Dark Knight and his cinematic and televised oeuvre. And it’s perfectly complimented by all of the extras on the Blu-rays and DVD.
SCORE: 8.0/10
