The Batman: Review of The Lego Batman Movie

The Lego Batman Movie

Director: Chris McKay

By Alex Watson

Few animated features will be quite as fun as The Lego Batman Movie. Sporting the same kind of charm that delighted both Lego and movie fans alike, Chris McKay has given us an ideal geek out movie. The story might not necessarily be strong, but the sheer amount of jokes make up for it. At the centre is perhaps 2017's ultimate bromance as two enemies share a deeper bond. Lego Batman was one of the highlights of 2014's 'The Lego Movie', and when given his own movie he doesn't disappoint.

Batman (Will Arnett) is the hero of Gotham City who has once again succeeded over his rival The Joker (Zach Galifianakis). However, during the heat of battle, he completely dismisses this villain as completely nothing. Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson) is the newly elected Police Commissioner who wants a closer working relationship with Batman. His ego still hurting from the rejection by his nemesis, the Joker deliberately surrenders to Gordon. Shocked by this, Batman sets out to banish the Joker to the Phantom Zone.

From a rocking opening sequence which will have smiles from the opening black screen "Black. All important movies start with a black screen." Batman emerges to foil The Joker, of course with his own catchy theme song. Chris McKay taps into the Dark Knight's individual streak early on. Even though he loves his reckless life- secretly he heads home alone to an empty mansion. Brilliantly The Joker's presence is almost vulnerable in this movie. Normally feared, here his entrance is met by a blank expression due to his constant defeats. It could be said this movie is about the effects of wounded pride. The Joker is stabbed to the core by Batman's refusal to acknowledge him (the facial expressions are excellent!). While our hero plays it cool, secretly he needs this band of villains. Gordon has big plans for Gotham, which due to Batman's inability to capture his rivals has meant scaling back his involvement.

The sheer amount of jokes related to Batman's backstory always hit the spot. In one scene with butler Alfred (wonderfully voiced by Ralph Fiennes), we see each previous instalment recreated. Chris McKay has basically done a love letter to the entire screen history- including each time Joker failed. When his enemy and his legion of cronies surrender to Gordon- this is the ultimate slap in the face to Batman.  This along with accidentally adopting Robin (Michael Cera) quickly sends Batman into a mad spiral. Obsessed with banishing Joker to the Phantom Zone- there is the big question of is he just playing into his rivals hands? There is a heartfelt note as McKay reveals Batman's big fear of starting a family. To his horror, he begins growing closer to his adopted son and finds his family ever growing. Without them, he cannot defeat the Joker.

When the final battle hits, this is where The Lego Batman Movie has the most fun. An array of movie villains come forward such as Sauron, Agent Smith from the Matrix, King Kong and Voldemort. Reigning hell on Gotham, Batman must accept that teamwork will help him save the day. I cannot emphasise just how much fun this picture is. Yes, it might be a kid-friendly adventure that is more a satire of the campy 60's humour. However, this is easily a far stronger offering than the belated Batman v Superman offering. There might have been fears that Lego Batman's appearance would be lessened in his own feature film. Well forget your worries and just sit back and enjoy. The film does drag slightly with Batman refusing to grow up and embrace others, but with the sheer entertainment on show, this will be quickly forgotten. At the centre of the picture is the unlikely bromance of The Joker and Batman. Their mutual hatred makes them an essential match- all the caped crusader needs to do is acknowledge it.

It is hard to imagine anyone more perfectly suited to voice Batman than Will Arnett. His silky voice just fits this character like a glove. Even better though is Arnett's perfect channelling on Batman being like a spoiled child. Living alone in his mansion eating Lobster Thermidor, his temper tantrums are a continued source of amusement. Ralph Fiennes almost makes a perfect Alfred, embodying both the surrogate father figure and reluctant disciplinarian- Fiennes could have been a perfect live action choice. Zach Galifianakis has great fun as The Joker playing the insane king like a jilted prom date which works perfectly.

The Lego Batman Movie is a perfect source of fun for anyone who wants nothing more than pure enjoyment. Give this guy his own franchise and keep the laughs coming I say! Ben Affleck's upcoming feature 'The Batman' has a lot to live up to!

American Idol: Review of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Directors: Akiva Schaeffer and Jorma Taccone

By Alex Watson

Mockumentaries are a hard act to pull off but Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping comes closest to nailing the humour of Spinal Tap. The first movie by comedy troupe, The Lonely Island, this piece is almost an extended gag that could easily have taken Youtube by storm. Featuring a number of wonderfully silly ideas and some well-placed cameo appearances, this is a movie you can just disengage and enjoy. It might not always hit the high notes, but it has enough fluff in it to make it an easy ride.

Connor Friel aka Connor4Real (Andy Samberg) is an ex-member of the popular boyband Style Boyz who has recently hit gold with a solo career. When his overproduced second album 'ConnQuest' tanks, he has to resort to some desperate measures including on stage gimmicks and a bizarre marketing campaign to make the album sell. Also, he has to contend with his persona alienating his DJ and former group member Owen (Jorma Taccone) and his disgruntled ex-lyricist Lawrence (Akiva Schaeffer).

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping isn't concerned with taking itself seriously and its decision to be played purely for laughs is a clever one. The first concerns Connor's career hitting the skids, mainly due to unwise decisions like his cringing LGBT anthem 'Equal Rights' which two-thirds dealing with the fact he isn't a gay.  Also, he is convinced by his publicist Paula (Sarah Silverman)  to launch his album via an appliance company where his songs are played through refrigerators- a national blackout is caused and his image is tarnished. Connor has surrounded himself with a dopey entourage of yes men, Owen is able to stick around but his role as DJ basically means his pushes play on a iPod. His manager Harry (Tim Meadows) is attempting to keep his ego in check, but with ConnQuest steadily falling, his work is cut out.

The jokes don't always work, although Will Arnett's recurring send-up of the lead TMZ presenter kills. On stage is where the movie makes its most impact during the number of hilarious send-up songs. A diss track about Mona Lisa being a 'Basic Bitch' will bring the most laughs. His desperation to promote sales leads to some awkward stage gaffs like him doing a Silence of The Lambs style nude reveal on stage. Music industry cameos come thick and fast such as Mariah Carey, Seal, Simon Cowell, Adam Levine and Pink and these succeed in giving this movie a authentic feel that a cheap shot at Justin Bieber. There are some bizarre ones such as Martin Sheen shouting 'ATTICA!!' but who needs to complain? A threat to his career comes in the vein of crazed underground rapper Hunter The Hungry (Chris Redd) who becomes the usurper to his former mentor.

Primarily, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is concerned about getting the band back to together. Connor's success has come down to his associate with Lawrence and Owen and due to some selfish past events Lawrence retired to Colorado to become a farmer. Essentially the boys need enough to kick start a career which steadily decaying. There is an element of fun in this reunion because Style Boyz are like every 2000s boyband we came to love who then all but one disappeared. Their old dance move 'Donkey Roll' is an excellent original creation, this might just have made Gangnam Style sweat. On his own Connor cannot expect to achieve the same measure of success days with the Boyz brought. Though for the finale, those who loved Lonely Island's 'Jack Sparrow' are in for a treat.

Andy Samberg is able to inject is the lovable dopey charm that we have come to adore on TV's Brooklyn 99. A thinly veiled sketch of Bieber, Connor is a man who is about his image and his acts to ruin it are carried off effortlessly by Samberg. Whether it be taking a dump in the Anne Frank house or any number of his terrible lyrics, somehow we root for this guy. Taccone has always proven to be a reliable guy when called upon and those familiar with his prior cameo as Booth Jonathan on Girls will remember. As Owen, he has a smile that is gradually fading, especially when forced to wear a giant Daft Punk style robot helmet on stage. His idea of 'Parent Trapping' Connor and Lawrence together makes him the real heart of the group.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a movie that won't break any boundaries but is just damn good fun. Director's Taccone and Schaeffer take it easy of the celebrity front (though full marks for Ringo Starr) and the picture is a good daft slice of satire.