The Lego Ninjago Movie

The Lego film franchise had a nice run in its first two outings. The phenomenal response to 2014’s The Lego Movie and, earlier this year, the popular emergence of The Lego Batman Movie proved profitable and entertaining for the gimmicky concept that inexplicably captured the imaginations of youngsters and oldsters alike. The appeal for the yellowish block toy figures was undeniably infectious at the box office’ while leaving one wondering what was next in line for the Lego-mania to explore in terms of a creative nod.

Well, the third time around for this animated film franchise does not necessarily invite any charm for the toy-making product that found its welcomed footing in 2011 from its Danish originators. Hence, The Lego Ninjago Movie is the current rain on the treasured parade of the first two installments because this flaccid fantasy shows signs of an inspired treat that has gone tepid. Clearly, Ninjago is the bottom rung of the laughter ladder despite its occasional invitation of free-spirited gags.

It is a crying shame that Ninjago struggles with its irreverent approach because the whole affair feels synthetically forced in throwaway goofiness. One would think that a third sequel to a catchy Lego landscape would not peter out after just a trilogy of films. There is no excuse for Ninjago to wallow in breezy mediocrity when it boasts three directors, an army of collaborative writers and a host of who’s who in terms of the top-notch vocal performers that commit to this flimsy fantasy. Indeed, the majority of kiddies will probably eat this latest project up without reservation. However, some of these tykes may still wonder why the spark for these young kung fu plastic protagonists may lack the frivolous flavor as experienced in the aforementioned Lego predecessors. This suggestion might be simply straight-forward and logical: skip the sluggish humor of Ninjago’s exhaustive display of tired antics and revisit the original blue...

Certainly not the worst film of the year, but very disappointing when stacked up against The LEGO Movie and LEGO Batman. I think this one might actually just be for kids.

Final rating:★★ - Definitely not for me, but I sort of get the appeal.