The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (Warner Bros.)

Rated PG for some rude humor.

Starring (voices of) Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish, Will Ferrell, Stephanie Beatriz, Charlie Day, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman, Richard Ayoade, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Cobie Smulders, Jason Momoa, Margot Robbie, Ike Barinholtz, Ralph Fiennes, Will Forte, Bruce Willis, Ben Schwartz, Jimmy O. Yang, Noel Fielding, Jorma Taccone, Gary Payton, Sheryl Swoopes, Todd Hansen, Doug Nicholas, Emily Nordwin (Jadon Sand, Brooklynn Prince, Maya Rudolph, and Will Ferrell appear in live action sequences).

Written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Matthew Fogel.

Directed by Mike Mitchell.

GRADE: A-

REVIEW:

A great movie experience is sort of like falling in love. The feelings you have about new characters, new ideas and new scenarios is very special, but difficult to duplicate. A successful sequel is equally hard to duplicate. And so, it is with The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, the follow up to Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s runaway 2014 hit The Lego Movie. It was one of the most original films to come out of Hollywood in years, providing belly laughs for kids and parents alike. Could they duplicate the success of the original?

Chris Pratt is back as Emmett Brickowski, the happy-go-lucky optimist that saved the Lego world from ruin by helping a child named Finn (Jadon Sand) connect with his father (Will Ferrell, who also provided the voice for “Lord Business” in the original film). Five years later, the Emmett’s world lies in ruins, as “Bricksburg” has transformed into “Apocalyseburg,” thanks to the Duplo characters introduced by Finn’s little sister Bianca (Brooklynn Prince). A mysterious space traveler named General Sweet Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz) suddenly appears and kidnaps Emmet’s closest friends, including his girlfriend Lucy/Wildestyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (will Arnett), UNikitty (alison Brie), Benny “Spaceman” (Charlie Day) and the pirate Metalbeard (Nick Offerman), taking them to the faraway “Systar System.” Emmett builds his own spaceship and travels through the upstairs portal to rescue his loved ones. Before he arrives, Emmett encounters his alter ego Rex Dangervest (Pratt), a tougher, darker version of himself. Meanwhile, Emmett’s friends are brought to the (perhaps) evil Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi (Tiffany Haddish), who forces them to undergo re-education by getting glittery makeovers and listening to upbeat pop music. The queen intends to marry Batman and unite the Systar System with Emmett’s Lego world. As Emmett and Rex arrive at the Systar System, Lucy learns the truth behind the queen’s plans, and tries to prevent what could be an awful destruction for both worlds.

All of this imaginary action is tied to the real conflict between Finn and Bianca as they deal with the challenges of growing up together as brother and sister, and their mom’s efforts (Maya Rudolph) to keep the peace in their home.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part has everything you loved about the original film, but the jokes, characters and silly fun are not quite original. Yes, there are very funny and poignant moments, but nothing you didn’t encounter in the first film. You will fall in love with the characters again, but it won’t be as special as the first time you experienced them. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s not completely awesome, either.

The connection between the imaginary characters and the real-world ones in The Lego Movie 2 is equally poignant, but not executed as well as the first film, Again, it’s awesome, but not as awesome as the first time you traveled down the Lego-bricked road.