The LEGO Movie - Reviewed

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Going into the movie theater on Saturday afternoon I honestly didn't know what to expect from The LEGO Movie. I suppose part of me expected the movie to cater to the target LEGO audience 6 to 13-year-olds, but I hoped deep down for something more. I wanted the LEGO Movie to transcend the product, to show the rest of the world what those of us in the LEGO community already know - that the LEGO system of play is thoughtful, complex and beautiful.

A motley crew of heros: Unikitty, Benny, Emmet, Batman, Vitruvius, and Wildstyle.

A motley crew of heros: Unikitty, Benny, Emmet, Batman, Vitruvius, and Wildstyle.

Not much was known about the LEGO Movie plot going into the release weekend. What we did know was that the movie featured average-Joe Emmet Brickowoski somehow joining forces with the fearless Wildstyle in hopes of saving the LEGO world from Lord Business' evil plans. What they delivered was one amazing, and sometimes bizarre, adventure that criss-crossed many of the classic LEGO themes including city, old west, castle, and pirate. While watching the movie I kept thinking that the plot felt like it was taken from the imagination of my 9-year-old self playing with bricks down my basement.

The animation is top-notch with every element of the landscape and characters rendered in great detail. Each minifigure was brought to life with tiny, lifelike movements of their hair, hands, and limbs. Explosions, lasers, and even water were made from digitally rendered LEGO bricks. The animators used LEGO bricks to painstakingly create all of the structures, vehicles, and environments seen in the movie. I kept wishing I could pause the movie and look at just how everything was built. That being said things on screen got a little overwhelming at times, which made it hard to tell what was going on, but maybe these eyes of mine are just getting old.

So, was LEGO able to break away from historically terrible toy-themed movies? I fully believe so. From the prospective of an adult fan of LEGO the movie succeeded in reminding me of why and how I fell in love with LEGO bricks in the first place. I appreciated the throwback LEGO themes, unexpected cameos and humor that only adults would get. But this is also a family movie and the directors gently remind us that as a community of adult LEGO builders we should help inspire our children, the next generation of LEGO enthusiasts, to think beyond the instruction sheet.

I give The LEGO Movie 5 out of 5 Nerdlies.

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LEGO Space: Building The Future

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LEGO Space: Building The Future

I've waited a long time for this book. Pete Reid confided in me quite some time back that he and Tim were working on a book, and working hard on it. I knew it was about space, I knew it would be awesome and I knew it would be out around now. But that's all I knew. I wanted it to be a surprise, I didn't ask for any more info and he didn't offer. Well, it's finally in my hands and let me tell you, it's gorgeous.

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Review - The LEGO Build-It Book Vol 2- More Amazing Vehicles

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Review - The LEGO Build-It Book Vol 2- More Amazing Vehicles

The term "more of the same" is far too often used in a negative context. When I'm talking about The LEGO Build-It Book Volume 2 More Amazing Vehicles it should be thought of as being in the the same spirit as "more chocolate cake", or "more heart containers" or "more foot massages". Sometimes more of the same thing is totally awesome! 

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Review - Liteup Blocks

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Review - Liteup Blocks

Every once in a while you need to shed light on a MOC. There are several options for this including light bricks, Power Functions and fiber optics from LEGO (for you purists), LifeLights for more complex (and expensive) options, and assorted other third party light up bricks. Liteup Blocks is a new option that brings light options to your MOC without breaking the bank.

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