Was The Lego Movie a flash in the pan? Warner Bros. certainly hopes not. The studio is banking on the colorful and fast-paced method of storytelling that was introduced in The Lego Movie to carry a series of upcoming films, including a Lego Movie 2. Having already seen The Lego Batman Movie, I can tell you that the format translates into new and different genres (like, superhero comedy, for example) and now this first trailer for The Lego Ninjago Movie suggests that the Lego foundation is strong, and the sky is the limit for the types of stories Lego movies can tell. Watch the trailer, and judge for yourself:
You might not realize it, particularly if you don't have kids, but the Lego Ninjago brand has been very strong for years now, having been introduced by the company in play sets back in 2011. It essentially builds off an existing line of Lego Ninja toys, but enhances the mythological backstory of the world to include modern elements as well as the touches of feudal Japan. Since 2011, the story has weaved through video games, graphic novels and a TV series that ran on Cartoon Network in the U.S. Now it's getting a large screen adaptation, and as the new trailer suggests, the animators and storytellers are taking full advantage of the massive canvas.
Yesterday, we ran a full feature introducing you to the main players in The Lego Ninjago Movie, and this new trailer explains how they will interact. It's a standard "Forces of Good vs. Evil" scenario, only the twist is that main hero Lloyd (Dave Franco) is the son of the movie's chief baddie, Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux). Before you can scream, "Holy Empire Strikes Back, Lego Batman!" the movie gets bonus points for at least revealing that nugget in the trailer, making it a driving point of the narrative.
The Lego Ninjago Movie comes out in September, and based on this trailer, it will feature fast-paced Lego action, but also be soaked in the same type of clever jokes and pop-culture references that made The Lego Movie a hit. I mean, Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" is the chosen tune of the trailer. This franchise knows what its audiences like, and it's prepared to deliver.
While you are waiting for The Lego Ninjago Movie to open on September 22, check out The Lego Batman Movie, which brings back Will Arnett as the arrogant Dark Knight and explores some twisted yet hilarious facets of his damaged psyche. It opens in theaters on February 10, and you can read our review of the movie right here. Also, click to the next page to see the Lego Ninjago Movie poster. It's beautiful.
