The Lego Batman Movie

 Great news, fellow Quinntets!

I finally got around to watching the Batman Lego movie!

I know right?

This is perhaps the one movie featuring anything Batman related in recent history that I knew wouldn't suck or be weird in any way.
After all, who didn't love the Lego movie?

It was well crafted, had morals, humour, appeal for all ages and was interesting to look at as well.

Oh hey, it's fresh as well! Lookit dat.

The same applies for the Lego Batman movie. 

Two seconds into the movie and everyone's already in stitches but there's enough of a glimpse into Batman's personal life to show that everything is NOT awesome at home. Every character is shown the same amount of fan-love though (except some of the lesser known villains maybe) all the best Bat-eras get a look in and there are plenty of jokes, Easter eggs, throw backs and things going on in the background that it really feels like an involved, well thought out universe even if it is making fun of itself constantly.

Alfred Pennyworth: Were you looking at the old family pictures again?

Batman: At the what? The old family... Oh, yes! I see what you mean. Look at that! The old gang. Yeah. No, I wasn't.

Alfred Pennyworth: I see. Sir, if you don't mind my saying, I'm a little concerned. I've seen you go through similar phases in 2016 and 2012 and 2008 and 2005 and 1997 and 1995 and 1992 and 1989 and that weird one in 1966. Do you want to talk about how you're feeling right now?

Batman: I don't talks about feelings, Alfred. I don't have any, I've never seen one. I'm a night-stalking, crime-fighting vigilante, and a heavy metal rapping machine. I don't feel anything emotionally, except for rage. 24/7, 365, at a million percent. And if you think that there's something behind that, then you're crazy. Good night, Alfred.

Alfred Pennyworth: Sir, it's morning.

The voice actors are all fantastic as well. Will Arnett is Batman, Rosario Dawson as Commissioner Gordon, Zach Galifianakis is Joker, Jenny Slate is Harley Quinn, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred, Michael Cera as Dick Grayson, Siri is the Bat 'Puter, hell, even all the bit part characters or one liners are played by someone hilarious.

But how were Harley Quinn and Joker represented?

Well, the movie focuses on Joker and Batman's relationship and Joker's insecurity about not being Batman's number one enemy and the inevitable 'break-up' that follows.

THE LOOK

Joker looks good - green hair, purple suit, yellow teeth.... yellow teeth that are pointy like fangs..
I'll admit that put me off initially but I get it, it's a visual bad guy thing. I like how he's got funky playing card motif going up his two tone sleeves.

Harley Quinn is clearly taking inspiration from the current comic series where Hardly Quinn rips off the Roller Derby style but Harley makes it that much more believable. She's on roller blades and having fun while let's face it, Hardly Quinn has likely never seen the inside of a rule book.







Like Joker in his purples, they've at least kept her in the classic red and black. She doesn't wear a jester cap but I don't mind her hair in this style for the movie. The mixed up fringe is a nice touch, and so is the 'Smylex' logo on her shirt.

Won't lie - I am pretty disappointed they went with the body by Joker acid bath for her skin tone, but then again being Lego they may have had to make her yellow otherwise. My point still stands in general for the stupid white body thing. Stupid concept.

The diamond tattoo on her face is much better than all the junkie tattoos they threw on her in Suicide Squad but given her face is twice as small as the live action mug.. it somehow looks just as bad - like it's a zit or something. Ah well, they could have put something dumb like 'sour' across her jawline.

I like how they both look unique but paired - with their playing card motif and skulls around their outfits.

HARLEY QUINN COSTUME VARIANTS

What's a Harley Quinn review without at least one alternate costume?

Classic Arkham doctor look complete with pink gloves and a clip board accessory with Joker's file/love hearts.

Tre' cute and the red trim is a nice touch.

Alternate action suit - gloves/gauntlets with a bow tie collar and chained bustier. Probably a bit more in tune with the 'adult' Harley Quinn but I like it.

The wavy skirt is cute too.

End credits dance outfit - upgrading to golden roller skates and a classy white tuxedo-skirt. 

THE CHARACTERISATION

People are used to a different flavour of Quinn in every medium so I wasn't sure what to expect but her character is pretty much her BTAS self. She's mostly as background sidekick character in the movie - there to support Joker (even if he's running around infatuated with someone else)
but she does get to dip into her disguise mode every now and then.

As always she gets to beat up some chumps with her giant hammer.

Joker is Joker.. his usual manic self but toned down for kiddies. That's okay though, he had a lot of the best lines apart from Batman and I especially the part where he tries to terrorise some pilots at the start of the film but it doesn't work because they know Batman will stop him.



The problem with live action Jokers recently is that they tend to focus too much on the psychotic and forget to add the funny. It's understandable, it's a hard tightrope to balance on but at the end of the day.. Joker is a clown. It's part of his motivation and character.

That's why this worked

..and so did this...

And this one didn't.

 Lego Joker gets to transcend that a bit but he manages to bring Pg 13 scary and humour for all ages.
Now, was that so hard?

THE RELATIONSHIP

As mentioned before, their relationship plays seconds fiddle to that of B-man and Mr. J. Harley is more like a BFF/wingwoman than anything. She's also more like Joker's psychiatrist than anything else we've seen from her recently - Joker lays out his troubles to her, and she points him in the direction of what can fix it for him.

Being PG-13 there are no abusive traits in their relationship nor are they overly lovey dovey so in that regard it's already ten times better than the Suicide Squad movie, but it's not as complex as it was in BTAS. That's okay though. It's a Batman movie - not a licence for DC to keep shoving Harley Quinn in our faces like she's the new Batman.

Joker and Harley also have pet names for each other (Boo Boo and Monkeyface) which is no Puddin' or Pumpkin but does the job well. Besides, the Suicide Squad comic book has pretty much run the whole Puddin' thing into the ground, having Harley refer to anyone and everything by that name.

Waller feels me on this.

THE QUOTES

Joker:

I'm rubbing my butt all over your stuff. We're gonna have to rename this the Butt-mobile.

He likes long, violent walks on historic builds. It's King Kong!

Harley Quinn:

Nobody's got a smile like you, Mr. J.

Actually you're right. I am going up. Ding!

Joker: You've ran away from every person in your life, but I'm the one you're always chasing!

Batman: Is this about that stupid "greatest enemy" thing?

Joker: I think after 78 years, I deserve respect!

Harley: That is right; respect!

Joker: Do you realize that you have never once said the words, "I hate you, Joker"?

Harley: Not once!

Batman: Well, I am starting to feel pretty annoyed with you right now, that's for darn sure.

Joker: Annoyed is not the same thing! Listen, Batman. I hate you.

Harley: You know what, Booboo, just shut it down.

Joker: These disease lunatics are right.

 I'm not gonna be part of a one-sided relationship any longer!

Harley: Yes!

Batman: What are you talking about?

Joker: I'm moving on!

Batman: That's ridiculous.

Joker: And on my way out, I'm gonna blow up Gotham City!

Batman: No, you're not serious.

Harley: Good for you, Booboo!

(The others cheer.)

Joker: ... You should be terrified.

Pilot Bill: Why?

Joker: Because... I will be taking over the city!

Pilot Bill: Mmm...

Joker: What?

Pilot Bill: Batman will stop you.

Joker: Pffft!

Pilot Bill: He always stops you.

Joker: No he doesn’t!

No faults with the dialogue. Given their respective medium and audience, they're pretty much in character and hi-lariously so.

So there you have it - much like the Lego Movie before it - the Batman Lego Movie is a fantastic all rounder that everyone can enjoy.

In a demographic that's so easily fed corny brainless slush it's great that kids, families, cynical but charming bloggers and non-hardcore Batman fans have movies like this to watch and take something from.

Sure, there's probably huge profits from the spin off toys but at least Lego is useful, fun and a great educational tool. As well as that, they deserve their awesome merchandise!





You! Reader! Go buy some Lego!