You don’t have to be an AFOL to get into the new Lego documentary but it will help. Hell, after watching, you may even become an AFOL. Unless you’re a KFOL or TFOL already. Regardless of your current FOL status, you will leave the theater at least knowing what an AFOL is and, better yet, why Lego has become a global obsession bordering on a philosophy.
A Lego Brickumentary hurls a ton on information at you in its 90-ish minute running time and most of it is intriguing. I am no Lego Fan. Not against the building blocks, I just suck at actually building anything. Always have. So going into the screening, I didn’t know what to expect or if I really cared. Thanks to an animated narration by Jason Bateman and a slick paced presentation of the information, this Lego doc is worth a look for even the most casual fan.
You get the entire story of the Lego Company. This can get a little dry and the film does have some moments that feels like a New Hire Industrial film. But fanatics will love this movie as it untwines the fascination with the bricks. Fan films, conventions, celebrity fans (Trey Parker!!) make up many of the sub-stories presented.
It is when the movie begins to delve into the perceived influence the toy has made on the world that it really bares some fascinating material. Innovation and invention stem from what was once just a child’s toy. Cool stuff and the sense of community is awesome.
Legos have sparked something meaningful inside millions of people and A Lego Brickumentary does a good job digging for the cause of that spark. Now if only I could make something more than just a wall… Or a bed. I make a mean Lego bed but that’s about as far as I go.
