Review: The Lego Ninjago Movie (UHD)

I am a LEGO- enthusiast. I have a genuine appreciation for these Danish plastic bricks. As a child, I could spend countless hours constructing various creations. I developed functional Transformers robots, including one that converted from a car to a robot with a simple inversion. I built bumper cars featuring metal vehicles with visible damage upon impact, and even constructed working pistols with slide action and triggers. All of this was accomplished without the aid of the internet, which didn’t become widely accessible until a decade later.

As an adult, my engagement with LEGO diminished, based on the misconception that it was exclusively for children – until Star Wars LEGO emerged. Now, I occasionally treat myself to a building kit as a means of celebration or personal enjoyment. When The LEGO Movie premiered in 2014, I was present at the cinema, and similarly when the – in my opinion, masterfully executed – The LEGO Batman Movie debuted three years later. In 2017, another LEGO film, The Lego Ninjago Movie, was released, and that is the subject of today’s review.

Lloyd (Dave Franco) faces considerable challenges. He is not only a ninja hero alongside his four friends but also the son of the villainous Garmadon (Justin Theroux). This duality creates complications for Lloyd as he navigates school, where his parentage is common knowledge. He endures teasing, finding solace only in his identity as the Green Ninja. With the assistance of his comrades and their advanced technological suits, they combat Garmadon’s attempts to conquer and devastate Ninjago City. The ninjas’ mentor is Master Wu (Jackie Chan), who also happens to be Garmadon’s brother (familial connections abound). Master Wu possesses the ultimate weapon, an instrument of such power that its use is strictly forbidden. In a desperate effort to safeguard Ninjago from Garmadon’s onslaught, Lloyd disregards the rules and deploys the ultimate weapon, a decision that yields catastrophic consequences.

The Lego Ninjago Movie occupies a respectable third position within the LEGO filmography. Initially, I anticipated a less sophisticated production, but this is not the case. The animation is impeccably executed, reflecting a significant investment of time to emulate stop-motion animation. Attention has been paid to ensuring that LEGO pieces do not bend unnaturally; while pieces may become detached, they never exhibit unnatural bending. Furthermore, through Jackie Chan and his team, the film incorporates stylish, meticulously choreographed Kung-Fu sequences performed by the LEGO figures.

However, the film lacks the consistent humor and pacing of its predecessors, The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. These two films demonstrate superior scripting and direction, exhibiting a more engaging rhythm and a higher frequency of comedic moments. While The Lego Ninjago Movie attempts to emulate these elements, it falls short, despite employing three directors and thirteen (13!!) screenwriters. The humor feels somewhat forced, and the filmmakers may have relied excessively on the improvisational skills of the actors, resulting in extended dialogue sequences between static plastic figures. This approach feels like a misallocation of resources. The actors are undoubtedly talented, but their contributions could have benefited from more concise editing.

Dave Franco’s portrayal of Lloyd and Justin Theroux’s depiction of Garmadon provide a compelling dynamic and represent some of the film’s strongest moments. A phone conversation early in the film stands out as particularly humorous. Jackie Chan, known for his voice work in animated films (including Kung Fu Panda), also portrays Mr. Liu, a business owner who appears in the film’s live-action segments at the beginning and end.

In conclusion, I found The LEGO Ninjago Movie to be an enjoyable experience, despite its shortcomings. While it may not reach the same heights as the other two LEGO films, it features several noteworthy sequences. The image and sound quality of the disc are excellent (animation typically ensures optimal control over both aspects), and the disc is replete with bonus content, including commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and other supplemental materials. It is a worthwhile purchase. The Ultra HD edition I viewed also included a Blu-ray version of the film. As a LEGO aficionado, I recommend The LEGO Ninjago Movie, even with its imperfections.