THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART is the latest film from director Mike Mitchell (Trolls) and is a follow up to the insanely successful 2014 film, The Lego Movie, only this time our beloved Lego’s have come face-to-face with a new threat hell-bent on destroying their city. The film features Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy), Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games), Will Arnett (The Lego Batman Movie), and Tiffany Haddish (Girl’s Trip).

It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens of Bricksburg are now facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than it can be rebuilt. The battle to defeat the invaders and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet (Chris Pratt), Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.

When 2014’s The Lego Movie arrived in theaters it was almost like a cultural phenomenon. People couldn’t stop talking about the film – whether in regards to the animation, the storyline, or the nostalgia it evoked. Since then, we’ve received 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie, both receiving not as much fanfare as the creators had hoped. When it came time for the release of the follow-up sequel to The Lego Movie, the excitement wasn’t as palpable as it had been in the past; however, I have a feeling that excitement is going to return as THE LEGO MOVIE 2 is, by far, one of the best films of the year.

I think what I really enjoyed about this movie was how dark the premise was. I wouldn’t go so far as to say there were horror themes, but the film definitely had a post-apocalyptic vibe and referenced 2015’s Mad Max, in both the visuals and tone, but in a way that was still family friendly. This was offset by the (literal) happy, singing hearts and stars that were destroying Bricksburg, making it into a Lego wasteland. Also, the movie features velociraptors and I will quite literally watch anything that includes velociraptors, or references to any of the Jurassic Park movies, so I was quite tickled to see the addition of these prehistoric creatures. Obviously, a movie such as these Lego films are not going to be filled with death, destruction, and gore, but I did appreciate the darker tones that were incorporated.

As much as I did enjoy the first Lego Movie, one of the reasons I wasn’t over-the-moon about it was because of the music. I get it, it’s supposed to be annoying and it’s supposed to get stuck in your head, but “Everything is Awesome” is not a song I want on constant repeat inside of my brain. With that said, in THE LEGO MOVIE 2, I absolutely loved the musical numbers, especially Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi’s (Tiffany Haddish) theme song. Her character was definitely one of my favorites because she’s a lot more complicated than we are led to believe and Tiffany Haddish gives her a fierceness that left me in awe. That said, I really loved the female characters and the jabs that they took at their male counterparts – most in relation to them doing all the work and the males taking the credit. What really sticks out about this film, though, is the storyline which dives into acceptance, understanding, family, and the feeling of belonging. Without giving too much away, the film made me think back to my relationship with my brother and the fights we would have over toys and how I never wanted him to play with me or my friends. Though the movie reminded me of how awful a sister I was, it still had a lot of heart, as well as a positive message, that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy at the end.

Overall, THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART is easily one of the best films of 2019 so far, and my favorite out of the entire franchise. The story is incredibly engaging, heartwarming, and easy to relate too, the visuals are strong and eye-catching, and the characters are memorable. Add in the darker moments with the Mad Max feel, as well as the catchy pop lyrics, glittered superheroes, and velociraptors, and this movie is truly the definition of everything being awesome. Prepare for a wild ride outside of the comforts of Bricksburg when THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART arrives in theaters Feb. 8th, from Warner Bros. Pictures.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow Me

Shannon McGrew

Founder/Co-Owner at Nightmarish Conjurings

Shannon is the Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings and a lover of all things horror and haunt related. When she's not obsessively collecting all things "Trick 'R Treat" related, or trying to convince everyone that "Hereditary" is one of the greatest horror films ever made, you can find her designing interiors for commercial restaurants. An avid haunt fan, Shannon spends the entire year visiting haunts and immersive experiences throughout the Southern California area and hopes to one day design her own haunted attraction.

Follow Me

Latest posts by Shannon McGrew (see all)

• [Interview] Sean Konrad for MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS - November 29, 2023
• [Interview] Matt Shakman for MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS - November 28, 2023
• [Interview] Eli Roth for THANKSGIVING (2023) - November 16, 2023