5. Fantastic Usage Of Licensed Characters
It was always going to be challenging to create a LEGO film without any licensed characters. They are one of the largest selling points of the toys and allow for even more personality to shine through, so it’s only natural to pepper them into the story. This isn’t to say that the primary plot takes a backseat, but that all the other characters around Emmett and his partners play a great part in keeping the film fresh and entertaining.
More importantly, everyone involved took the licenses with respect and did all the characters justice, instead of forcing them in with no good reason. Batman is most certainly a highlight, coping with his orphan issues by writing and singing Death Metal songs to his love Wyldestyle. The real show stealer, however, is Liam Neeson playing a good cop-bad cop LEGO character in grand over-the-top fashion, similar to his recent roles in films like Taken.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller know and understand who these characters and actors are, and how to insert them into the story for maximum laughs. The LEGO Movie is one of the very few films that is actually strengthened from enlisting a gargantuan cast of celebrity actors.