Review: Lego Movie 2 -A well constructed sequel for all the family

This weeks cinematic journey at Tralee Omniplex , saw the whole McCann family settle in their very comfy MAXX screen seats for the eagerly anticipated Lego movie sequel - the imaginatively title Lego Movie 2.
When the Lego Movie hit our cinema screens in 2014, it was initially thought that this was a cinematic idea that may not quite work but thanks to the ingenious minds and vision of Phil Lord and Chris Miller the audience was treated to a highly original concept, masterful animation and most importantly a family film with soul. Two spin off sequels in Lego Batman and Lego Ninjago (not to mention the serious spike in Lego set sales!) have added to the phenomenon that has become the Lego genre within the kids movie scene. No pressure then for director Mike Mitchell to keep this brick built juggernaut going and to somehow serve up fresh ideas and entertainment in keeping with the very high standard set by his predecessors.
In the Lego Movie 2, the citizens of Bricksburg face an all new threat when Lego Duplo invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle to defeat the enemy and restore harmony to the Lego universe takes Emmet, Lucy, Batman and the rest of their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds that test their bravery and creativity.
With Lego maestros Phil Lord and Chris Miller taking up writing duties in this movie, the gags, plot lines and moral themes were always going to be of high quality, and so it proved with numerous laugh out loud moments (for both young and old) , heart warming scenes and the usual highly entertaining cameos also present.
Visual effects too were at a premium and at times even more impressive than it's predecessors despite the lack of the element of surprise this time around.
Alas, if there is an area where this film does slightly fall down, it is in that lack of originality which is understandably missing in the fourth film of the it's type. The Lego Movie 2 has become somewhat a victim of the franchises success as we are no longer surprised with what these films can produce.
However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that everyone within my very own movie mob from 4 years of age upwards had nothing but positive things to say about another worthy addition to an extremely consistent and entertaining series, that despite lacking the originality of what has come before it , is simply a fun family film that will entertain all ages!
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