The Lego Batman Movie

Directed by Chris McKay.

2017. Rated PG, 104 minutes.

Cast:

Will Arnett

Zach Galifianakis

Rosario Dawson

Ralph Fiennes

Michael Cera

Channing Tatum

Jenny Slate

Billy Dee Williams

Jason Mantzoukas

Conan O'Brien

Zoe Kravitz

Once again, Batman (Arnett) foils Joker's (Galifianakis) plan to take over Gotham City. However, Batman senses there's something fishy about his victory. Barbara Gordon (Dawson) feels the same way. It was too easy. They soon have their suspicions confirmed when they find out Joker is working a larger, much more sinister plan. Additionally, our hero has to deal with his ever-present personal issues and the lonely existence they cause him to lead.

My synopsis sounds grim, but rest assured, it's all handled with a lightness of touch absent ever since Christopher Nolan got hold of The Dark Knight, back in 2005. Everything is done with a wink and a nod as the stream of jokes flows steadily. Many of these jokes are of the self-aware variety. Not only have the people who made this movie seen all the other Batman movies, they readily acknowledge that you have, too. As a result, we're hit with a barrage of in-jokes about the character's big-screen history. Even the 1966 movie starring Adam West gets referenced numerous times. For a Bat-fan like me, this is comedy gold. Each line of dialogue speaks to some part of my lifelong relationship with the character.

Like The Lego Movie before it, The Lego Batman Movie is bright, action-packed, and a visual treat. The base story is not at all complicated. It's Batman squaring off, yet again, with the Joker. What sets this apart from other Bat-flicks is how the relationship between the two is depicted. Each of them has one key trait amplified. In Batman, it's his arrogance in thinking he alone can always save Gotham. For the Joker, it's his insecurity. Joker understands that without his endless war with Batman, life would be meaningless for both. When Batman scoffs at the notion, Joker is truly hurt. He behaves like a spiteful, crazed, jilted lover. Though there is nothing overt to suggest they are a couple, there is a definite homoerotic vibe between them. However, it doesn't overwhelm the movie. In fact, it serves the humor.

Also serving the humor, and the movie as a whole, are some wonderful voice-over performances. Will Arnett again gives us a terrific Batman. His naturally gravelly voice is as perfect a fit for the character as the iconic Kevin Conroy,  who voiced him in Batman: The Animated Series and in a number of animated movies. Zach Galifianakis does an excellent job as his counterpart, Joker. He brings sadness to the role without sacrificing the character's more maniacal traits. Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon and Michael Cera as Robin do fine work, too. It's some of the best work done in years by Cera. Like most Bat-flicks, The Lego Batman Movie is grounded by its Alfred. In this case, Ralph Fiennes handles the duties and does an outstanding job. As always, Alfred is a father figure and the only person with any measure of control over Batman. Fiennes embodies this while still getting his fair share of the laughs. He's often the one to directly remind us of all those other Batflicks.

Unfortunately, all the allusions to Batman's past may not be the barrel of laughs for people who either don't share my affinity for The Caped Crusader, or are simply not old enough to have as much experience or appreciation for him. For instance, we get an early line about shark repellent. The payoff doesn't come until near the end of the film. I was practically rolling in the aisles with laughter. Someone else might only muster a small chuckle, if they find it funny at all, because it's a direct reference to a specific moment in a movie over fifty years old. This problem runs throughout the film. There's a point where all the villains from The Phantom Zone of Superman (Tatum) lore are let out. Eventually, it's a who's who of movie bad guys. A number of them may not be recognizable to the youngsters the film was marketed to, rendering their inclusion moot. This movie's true predecessor, The Lego Movie, has the same issue. It's a more pronounced problem here because the filmmakers did such a deep dive into Batman mythology. All of this is my long-winded way of saying you will probably like the movie better than your kids. I loved it, so that's just fine with me.

Possible 2017 Dellies Considerations: Best Animated Feature, Best Voice-Over Performance (Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis), Best Action Sequence (Opening Sequence), Best Villain (Zach Galifianakis), Best Ensemble, Funniest Scene (Opening Sequence), Best Overall Technical Achievement