• The LEGO Ninjago Movie

    October 10, 2017 - By 

    While not quite as surefooted as previous cinematic LEGO outings, this family-friendly romp still offers a colourful dose of inspired lunacy. From the outset, it is important to acknowledge that the Ninjago franchise, albeit hugely popular in its minifigure form, is not as appealing as the Batman universe, yet that in itself liberates the filmmakers to try something a little different. At no point does this addition to the LEGO roster claim to be as subversive or slyly satirical as this year’s hilarious puncturing of the Bruce Wayne mythos nor as a piece of animation does it set out to…

  • The Lego Batman Movie

    February 10, 2017 - By 

    Like a naughty teenager banished to his room, Master Bruce has been sulking in his man cave for some time now. A scowling cowling in SEAL Team 6 body armour, wrapped up in martyrdom angst, terrorising Gotham’s criminal class with the try-hard rasp of man who had too many whiskeys the night before, modern cinema’s vision of The World’s Greatest Detective seems a long distance from that introduced by Bob Kane and Bill Finger nearly 80 years ago. Still, the caped crusader’s infinite wardrobe is nothing if not versatile: Bruce Wayne is tailor-made for transformation. And boy is he due…

  • Lego: Jurassic World (Warner Bros., Multiformat)

    June 23, 2015 - By 

    If you would be so kind, allow me a moment to unshackle myself from journalistic objectivity, break the fourth wall and relay to you a personal anecdote. Twenty-two years ago, I was staying with some relatives in Toronto, and my cousin announced in her languid Canadian drawl that she wanted to see the new Stephen Spielberg film: “Ya know, tha one aboot the dinosaurs eating folk.” I was easily sold, having been fascinated by the idea of palaeontology since I was a toddler, and so we made the forty-five minute drive along the freeway to the “nearest” multiplex, conveniently situated…

  • LEGO: The Hobbit (Warner Bros., Multiformat)

    May 2, 2014 - By 

    Another month, another LEGO videogame tie-in. For nearly ten years British development house Traveller’s Tales have been remoulding iconic comics and films in ickle plastic form, and, if internet rumours are to be believed, show no signs of slowing down. While the destination might vary from Gotham to Middle Earth, the premise is always the same: guide a variety of figures through a toy world, taking apart and putting together objects made out of the famous Danish bricks. It is an odd idea, for sure, but one which works – most of the time. Which brings us to LEGO: The Hobbit,…