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Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales – Scared Silly

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Hallowe’en has come early.

To kick off its ‘Hallowstream’ Event, Disney+ offers its latest gift in the form of Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales, it’s latest entry into the long-running animated franchise. Following last year’s Lego Star Wars Holiday Special, Tales continues to lean into the holiday-themed material with an episode devoted to the Dark Side and its minions.

Terrifying Tales takes place after the events of The Rise of Skywalker as Poe Dameron and BB-8 are forced to make a sudden landing on the volcanic planet of Mustafar. Standing at the base of Darth Vader’s iconic hideaway, they soon discover that Graballa the Hutt has bought the castle so that he can repurpose it into a luxury hotel. While they wait for their ship to be repaired, they are intrigued by the mysterious Vanee (Tony Hale). Once working as Vader’s loyal servant, Vanee spins three eerie tales that are linked to the past and leads them deep within the castle’s walls. As his sinister plan is revealed, Poe, BB-8 and young mechanic Dean must face their fears and defeat an ancient evil from taking hold once again.

Taking a page from Marvel’s What If…? series, Terrifying Tales spins its own web of Jedi stories that may (or may not) have happened amidst the Star Wars canon. True to other Lego Star Wars animated fare, the series pops with silliness and fun, even as the proverbial ‘terrifying tales’ themselves focus on the more villainous characters in the universe. Just like it’s Marvel cousin, the show frees up its storytellers to tell stories without the burden of overarching storylines and continuity. As a result, there’s a gleeful freedom within this particular episode that sets it apart from other entries into the Lego franchise. (I mean, how much fun is it to see the story of impetuous farmboy Luke joining the Empire so he can live his dream as a great pilot?)

Concerned parents may find it important to know that these ‘terrifying tales’ hardly live up to their name. Although there are a few minutes of shadows and spookiness, ‘terrifying’ is hardly the word to describe these lighthearted adventures. (Although, it’s worth noting that these particular animators clearly love The Shining as it influences some of the better jokes within the episode.)

Since it’s leaning into the Dark Side of its stories, the show puts a heavy emphasis on stories about fear and power. (Again, lightly and playfully, of course.) However, Disney does admittedly surprise here by taking the opportunity to talk about the nature of courage as well. As Dean is exposed to Vanee’s ‘terrifying tales’ of the past, so too is he tempted to fall into their fear. Even so, Poe uses the moment to speak into Dean’s life.  Acknowledging his own fear, the pilot let’s Dean know that everyone experiences it but what matters most is what you do with that fear. To him, fear can be overcome when you lean into it and believe that you are stronger than it says. (“Without fear, you can’t have courage,” Poe says.) In this way, Terrifying Tales does a good job of helping kids recognize that fear is a normal part of their experience and empowering them when it strikes.

Goofy and entertaining, Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales is a suitable addition to the Lego Star Wars universe. Featuring fun side stories about some of the franchises favourite villains (Kylo Ren origin!), the episode is lighthearted enough to kickstart a month of Hallowe’en specials and spooks. But the best part is the fact that Disney doesn’t leave its kids wallowing in fear but shows them the path to courage along the way.

Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales is available on Disney+ on Friday, October 1st, 2021.

The Lego Movie 2: The Toxic Gender Wars

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We all owe Disney a collective ‘Thank You’.

After their unceremonial firing as directors of Solo: A Star Wars Story, Phil Lord and Chris Miller were immediately offered involvement in two projects that needed guidance. One such project was Spider-Man: Into The Spider Verse, an animated spin outside the confines of the MCU that was met with critical acclaim and may well net a Best Animated award from this month’s Oscars. The other project was, of course, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, a sequel which clearly benefits from their unique energy and voice.

The Second Part arrives at an interesting point in the franchise. Despite the critical and financial success of the first film and its follow-up Lego Batman, the misstep of The Lego Ninjago Movie seems to have tempered anticipation for the world of Bricksburg. While the first entry felt like a fresh take on the importance of play (and its stunning connection to the human world), follow-ups have felt increasingly like extended toy commercials. Thankfully, The Second Part feels like a return to form for the series that almost achieves the same success as the first.

Directed by Mike Mitchell (Sky High) and produced by Lord and Miller, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part begins immediately following the events of Taco Tuesday in the first film. Here, the citizens of Bricksburg face a dangerous new threat when invaders from space begin to destroy everything in their path. When Lucy, Batman and their friends are kidnapped and taken to the land of DUPLO, Emmett must venture into unknown territory in an effort to save them from the villainous Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi.

Filled with Lord and Miller’s trademark whip-smart pop culture references and layered dialogue, The Second Part further embraces the interaction between the imaginative and human world by taking the beloved characters beyond the basement and into the vast unexplored region of the Systar system. While the first film was concerned with Emmett’s journey to discovering what it means to be ‘The Special’, The Second Part shifts gears to explore the dangers of toxic gender roles. As the now beloved characters darkly brood over the state of Apocolypseburg, the greatest threat to their world seems to be… brightly colored hearts and glittery musical numbers. Led by WyldStyle and Batman, the lost Legos do their best not to succumb to the suspicious nature of the female-branded toys. (After all, anything that causes Superman and Lex Luthor to become friends must be evil!)

On the other hand, Emmett’s journey to save his friends also brings him into contact with Rex Dangervest (also Chris Pratt), a galaxy-defending space cowboy that trains raptors. Without giving away any spoilers, the inclusion of the dual role for Pratt provides an opportunity to hilariously satire the more ‘masculine’ roles that he has played through his career and lampoon their perceived macho traits. (In fact, the film also includes a cameo by one of Hollywood’s most accomplished action heroes as he mocks one of his most famous characters.) By throwing these two very different gender stereotypes up against one another, The Second Part effectively explores the toxic nature of all labels, encouraging the value of celebrating people for who they are. As a result, there is a divine equality within The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part that acknowledges to our differences and also creates space for celebrating them as well.

While the sequel doesn’t quite carry the same resonance of the first film, the film remains sharp and entertaining with new thematic ground to cover. Thanks to the crazed brilliance of Lord and Miller, The Second Part is funny, self-aware, and more than willing to help children engage in complex topics worth discussion.

So, yes. In the end, everything is still awesome.

Special Features include “Everything is Awesome Sing-along,” “They Come in Pieces: Assembling The LEGO Movie 2,”​ “Emmet’s Holiday Party: A LEGO Movie Short,” “LEGO Sets in Action” (highlighting LEGO product), “LEGO Designers,” “Super Cool Music Video” (by Beck featuring Robyn and The Lonely Island), outtakes and deleted scenes, and promotion spots.

LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Cosmic Clash

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cosmic clash

In the latest direct-to-DVD Lego DC film, the Justice League battles Brainaic’s evil plan to miniaturize and catalogue Earth (and all other societies). Thanks to the brave efforts of superheroes (some of which you’ve never heard of before), kids and adults will delight as his plot is thwarted. Just don’t be surprised if someone from the obvious name department plays a major role in the outcome. (<cough>Batman <cough>)

Simply put, this funny mashup of Legos and DC superheroes continues to prove that DC can do funny on the small screen (even if Marvel has cashed in at the box office). Whether it’s solely because The LEGO Movie blew the doors off or not, these films based on Lego versions of the superheroes are definitely hits in my house.

And I’m not just talking about my kids.

The amazing thing is that Lego continues to re-establish what combinations work–and in a G-rated world allow for violence and world domination–in a way that expands the imagination of the possible. Isn’t that what Lego is all about?

It helps that these straight-to-video films are both funny and true to the superhero canon. (In fact, I’ve seen some of this particular storyline play out in the comics before.) For fans who’ve never read up on Brainiac, this may be new. For my household, Brainaic was definitely a villain worth cheering against.

Grab this one off the shelf – and then go see if you can build the world that they’ve depicted!

A Lego Brickumentary (DVD): The Power of Community

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Lego BricksIf I mention the word Lego, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  For some people, that word refers to plastic bricks that are an absolute nuisance to bare feet if stepped upon.  Others may be whisked away to childhood and hours on the floor creating houses, spaceships, or a myriad of other things.  Still others are avid users of the toy as adults, creating sculptures and displays not unlike Will Ferrell’s character in The Lego Movie. Whatever you first thought, it’s no secret that Lego is a company built on the simple premises of design and storytelling. A Lego Brickumentary, a new DVD from Oscar-winning director Daniel Junge and Oscar nominee Keif Davidson, seeks to open the Lego world to viewers. And what a world it is–full of bricks, creativity, and community.

Narrated by actor Jason Bateman, A Lego Brickumentary is a highly entertaining and fascinating look at the world bricks have created. There currently exist 100 Lego bricks for every person on the planet, with 100,000 more made each minute. Kids love them as they create things from their imagination (or by following the wordless instruction manuals). Adults love them and attend annual conventions around the world to showcase their creations. Some people go all out and build massive creations that take millions of bricks (including houses, working car engines [!], and replicas of famous items). Others use them to create stop-motion films that generate millions of YouTube hits. Doctors have even figured out ways to use Lego bricks to help autistic children!

Yellow by Nathan SawayaIt wasn’t always like this, however. Lego was struggling along in the late 1990’s as their creation and products had become stagnant. The system of interlocking bricks they had worked so hard to create had been forgotten, replaced with products that had few pieces and required little imagination and curiosity. When they set their sights on the original intent again and started listening to what their users wanted, sales took off again.  The wonderful thing about Lego is that the system allows for creativity for kids, adults, and folks looking to use the pieces in art exhibitions (such as Nathan Sawaya, whose works are shown above and below).

I spoke with co-director Daniel Junge recently and asked him about the documentary and the reaction it has received.  Junge’s film history has always involved darker subject matter (Saving Face was about acid attacks on people in Pakistan), but he enjoyed the challenge of Lego. In fact, he said it was the most difficult work he’s done, mainly because Lego is beloved and how expansive and passionate the Lego community is.  At times, there’s a fine line that is neared between documentary and infomercial (he’s received some criticism for this), but Junge felt “in this world, if there was something to needed to be heralded and celebrated, it was Lego.”  He also notes that Lego listening to its users was a “sea change for them that didn’t happen overnight” and led to the theme of the whole documentary: Lego is about community as much as it is about the bricks themselves.

Stairway by Nathan SawayaThis makes sense to me as I was reminded how important community is today.  Unless you live in a cave and have no methods of reaching out to other people, you’re a part of some type of community. It brings people alongside to cheer and comfort in both good times and bad.  There are times to laugh, activities to enjoy (watching a football game, for example), and opportunities to get to know others. It encourages folks to be better than they could be on their own. This is manifest in the Bible—no, not in Elijah’s choice to hide out, but in the early church itself. Acts 2:42-47 is a fantastic passage where community is on display for the world to see as the new followers of Jesus share meals, meet together, and provide for others as needs exist.  The end result is that many people were drawn to God, further increasing and strengthening the church.  Without community, there wouldn’t be a faith for us to hear and respond to. We’re all in this together, so we need to make creative and effective use of it!

A Lego Brickumentary is definitely worth your time to view and will rekindle your love of the little bricks that can create worlds beyond one’s imagination. It’s also a fascinating look at the power of community and the amazing things that can result from it. You’ll never see those little plastic bricks the same away again.

A Lego Brickumentary is available on DVD and Blu-Ray starting November 3.