Not long ago in a town called Bricksburg, a super-friendly, upbeat and endlessly optimistic guy named Emmet rose from a most ordinary life to become The Special in the mega-hit animated adventure “The LEGO Movie.” Overcoming his doubts and an apparent lack of any notable skills or experience, this LEGO minifigure in the bright orange vest bravely followed his destiny to become a Master Builder and—with the help of his friends—saved the city, won Lucy’s heart and helped make “Everything is Awesome” an irresistible dance-party singalong the world over.
Yeah. You’re singing it right now, aren’t you?
Now, five years after that fateful day, Emmet still has a spring in his step, a smile on his bright, shiny face and 25 sugars pumping up his coffee every morning. But everything else has fallen to pieces, in the eagerly anticipated sequel “The LEGO Movie 2.” The surprise DUPLO invasion that threatened destruction just behind the first movie’s happy ending has reduced Bricksburg to a wasteland of rubble known to its battle-weary (but still quite witty) citizens as Apocalypseburg.
“Everyone has grown more mature, grittier, harder, tougher,” says Christopher Miller, one of the original architects of the inventive LEGO movie franchise, who returns, alongside creative partner Phil Lord, as screenwriters and producers of the latest chapter. “Everyone except for Emmet, of course. He’s still the same gee-whiz, aww-shucks, naïve guy he ever was.”
“He’s the only person in this world that dust doesn’t seem to stick to,” adds Lord.
But all that is about to change, as the shocking capture of his best friends and his beloved Lucy forces Emmet back into hero mode with all the grit he can muster and sends him on a perilous journey to the outer limits of the universe to save them…in typical Emmet fashion. Meaning, director Mike Mitchell offers, “There’s a lot of crazy action and one-of-a-kind characters, and the same irreverent, out-of-bounds comedy you expect from Chris and Phil that resonates with all ages. Emmet sets off with courage and total commitment but not any real idea where he’s going. It’s everything you loved about the first movie and more!”
Although a fully standalone adventure, this sequel builds on the existing narrative from the original “The LEGO Movie,” happily reuniting the eclectic gang of LEGO minifigures with maxi personalities that fans everywhere have embraced: the duo of tender-hearted but stalwart Emmet and hard-charging Lucy; hilariously full-of-himself Batman; unpredictable, glitter-crazy Unikitty; half pirate, half utility knife, Metal Beard; and the spaciest spaceman ever, Benny; played by returning stars Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman and Charlie Day.
The continuing tale also introduces intriguing new characters to challenge our old favorites and lead them to fresh discoveries. They include the wickedly funny, shapeshifting Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi (say it slowly…), played by Tiffany Haddish; her formidable female lieutenant General Mayhem—aka Sweet Mayhem—played by Stephanie Beatriz; and the enigmatic space cowboy Rex Dangervest, also voiced by Pratt. Together, this reassembled LEGO crew will take audiences on a unique intergalactic journey to worlds never seen before, that lie beyond the forbidding Stairgate.
“The LEGO Movie 2” explodes with color, whimsical design and music with a party vibe. In addition to the irrepressible “Everything is Awesome” that echoes through the action in different versions, Lord says, “We’re using lots of songs and musical numbers to help tell the story in a fun, playful way.” The film includes a number of original songs written by Jon Lajoie, as well as “Super Cool,” written and performed by Beck, featuring Robyn, with a rap written and performed by The Lonely Island, that plays over the end credits to send audiences off with a smile.
At the same time, the filmmakers honor the core values that have been the hallmark of these films as well as the trusted LEGO brand itself for 60 years: creativity, teamwork, and the value of play—no matter who you are, where you are, or how old you are.
In Philippine cinemas February 13, “The LEGO Movie 2” is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.
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