4K ULTRA HD REVIEW / HDR FRAME SHOTS
“THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART”
4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital copy; 2019; PG for mild action and some rude humor; streaming via Amazon Video/Prime, FandangoNow (4K); iTunes (4K), Google Play (4K), Vudu (4K), YouTube
Best extra: “They Come in Pieces: Assembling ‘The LEGO Movie 2’”
WHAT DO you know? Turns out everything isn’t always “awesome.” That’s the new message in “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.”
The action takes place five years after the end of “The LEGO Movie” (2014) and conditions for the tiny figures have changed. The film’s human allows his young daughter Bianca (Brooklynn Prince) to play in his massive LEGO world along with older brother Finn (Jadon Sand), with disastrous results. Mom (Maya Rudolph) is not happy.
Bricksburg becomes a Mad Max-like desert, Apocalypseburg, where our former LEGO favorites are forced to survive. Shiny pink and teal toys, commanded by General Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) of the Systar System go to war against heroes Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), Wyldstyle/Lucy (Elizabeth Banks) and the others. Batman (Will Arnett) and Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) keep to themselves, but are drawn in when a hero is required. The new alien's ultimate goal? To capture Batman for their ruler, Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (Tiffany Haddish). Worlds collapse and silliness reigns over all.
It’s impossible to top the original “LEGO Movie.” Creators Mike Mitchell (director) and Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Matthew Fogel (writers) don’t even go there. Thev’ve got enough freefall glee and irreverence to keep the LEGO world spinning. Look for the sparkly blue vampires, a terrific take on the “Twilight” films. There’s even a sparkly Batman. Another new character, Rex Dangervest, also voiced by Chris Pratt, shows up to help Emmet save his friends. Rex is a clever take on Pratt’s action adventure roles in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Jurassic World,” complete with raptors that Emmet plays with like big puppies. Rex is gruff and tough and has stubble. Emmet is his clean-cut, good-natured self, but tries to become an action hero under his new mentor’s guidance.
Like most animated comedy-dramas, things have to get pretty bleak before the lesson kicks in. So it goes for the world of LEGOs. “LEGO 2” is a bit slow at times; the story seems more rushed, less defined than its forerunner, but it still entertains.
And, yes; there’s a good message at the end – for everyone.
VIDEO
Both the 1080p and 2160p (2.39:1 aspect ratio) look great. Primary colors are dazzling, but get a ginormous boost on the Ultra 4K although only upscaled from a 2K digital intermediate. Time and again we see a huge difference with animated films in which the 4k looks so good, it’s as if it were filtered through a magic portal. There’s really nothing like it. Color and detail come alive; contrast and texture are exceptional. The film didn’t even look this good in theater. I’d invest in a 4K set-up just for animated films, the difference is so amazing. Not life-like, simply breathtaking.
AUDIO
Both the Ultra 4K and Blu-ray have a Dolby Atmos soundtrack making good use of flight and fight sequences. Effects soar all over the room from ceiling to floor. The default Dolby TrueHD 7.1 channel track also delivers. Rex and Emmet deliver a wowser Infinite Mass Punch leveling their world. Bass levels thunder from the speakers. (Currently on a level with the Thanos snap – although, as pointed out in the story no Marvel characters appear in LEGO films.)
Pop-like music becomes a weapon with “The Catchy Song/This Songs Gonna Get Stuck Inside Your Head” performed by Dillon Francis, T-Pain and That Girl Lay Lay. Oh, the horror! “Super Cool” is delivered by Beck feat, Robyn & The Lonely Island. The ironic “Not Evil” from Queen Watevra Wa’nabi/Tiffany Haddish is a standout.
EXTRAS
There’s a lot of them including outakes and deleted scenes in various forms of completion to offer extra entertainment. “LEGO 2” can also be watched in a sing-along version filled with pop-up trivia, games and a Unikitty (Alison Brie) cameo character count. A cartoon short, “Emmet’s Holiday Party,” has Emmet trying to liven things up for Christmas in Apocalypseburg. There’s a “Super Cool” music video and five PR featurettes: “In 2019 Be Whatever You Wanna Be,” “Me and My Minifig,” “Please Silence Your Cell Phones,” “LEGO Sets in Action,” and “LEGO Designers.”
A lively commentary and “They Come in Pieces: Assembling ‘The LEGO Movie 2’” have movie-making information and interviews. They’re generally lightweight in keeping with the film’s fun factor. Looks like folks had a good time making this one.
There are times when “LEGO 2” seems formulaic. Other times when we wondered where, exactly, the story was going. As noted, it's impossible to match the heart and unique qualities of the first film, but this offering generates stress-free fun – something we could all use more of.
— Kay Reynolds
Sick of the constant squabbling and clutter, Mom (Maya Rudolph) intervenes. All LEGO figures and accessories must be packed away – forever! Jadon Sand plays Finn and Brooklynn Prince plays Bianca.
MOVIE TRAILER
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