2019 has been off to a relatively slow start at the box office, but February is kicking things up to the next level with the first big animated movie of the year. The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is the long-awaited follow up to the beloved first film and sees the return of Emmet (Chris Pratt), Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett) and the rest of the gang as they confront mysterious alien invaders.
The LEGO films already boast unique stopmotion-like animation, but it wouldn't be a major movie release without 3D. If you want to know what CinemaBlend thought of the sequel then I encourage to check out our official review, but we'll only be talking about the application of 3D here. Is it worth the extra bucks to see the movie in 3D or should you stick traditional 2D? Let's dig through the toy box and find out!
Part of the fun of the LEGO movies is that they look like a kid's imagination come to life. The films make everything out of LEGOs and household objects, so that it feels like it's an actual LEGO playset up on the screen. The LEGO Movie 2 certainly doesn't change that, and 3D actually enhances that realism. There were some shots where I felt I was actually staring at a real LEGO figure, and I think the added depth helped facilitate that in places.
While 3D fits The LEGO Movie 2, the sequel doesn't take full advantage of the format. Those expecting the classic experience of things jumping off the screen might feel disappointed, and several shots feel fairly flat. The sequel has lots of blur on the screen at most points, so effort was clearly made, but there are other factors that held the 3D back from truly wowing. The sequel also contains certain spoiler-filled moments that don't seem to benefit at all from 3D.
3D has the reputation for things jumping off the screen and heading right at you, but you won't find much of that in The LEGO Movie 2. There are instances where some minor objects leap beyond the frame during action scenes, but they are few and far between. You certainly won't be ducking for cover if you attend a 3D showing.
Part of any great 3D showing is the added depth that helps to separate the characters from the background. The LEGO sequel has plenty of wide shots of fantastical settings to let the audience drink it all in, but for the most part, the movie likes to keep it tight. The action pretty much sticks to one plane, favoring medium-close shots that don't show off much of the background.
One of the tough areas for any 3D showing is the brightness because the dark 3D glasses dim the picture. Depending on the showing, the local movie theater might just not have a great projector, which can also affect the brightness. At least at my showing, the brightness felt up to snuff. The LEGO Movie 2 is a very colorful movie with bright pinks and blues layering the scenes. It wasn't maximum brightness, but it was enough to let the colors pop.
You wouldn't think that the screen being blurry is a good thing, but when you're investing in 3D it's exactly what you want. If you take off your glasses at any point in the sequel, you'll be greeted with a healthy dosage of blur all over the screen. However, there are parts of the film that don't seem utilize any blur at all. These are usually close up shots, but there will be several in a row before blur makes its way back on to the screen.
3D can tend to make those with sensitive stomachs feel a little queasy, but you shouldn't have any problem with The LEGO Movie 2. The characters move very quickly while assembling their LEGO weapons and vehicles, and are usually involved in some kind of fast-paced chase, but I never felt like I couldn't keep track of any of it. The camera remains nice and steady, so there isn't a lot of shaking around or incoherence.
Overall, the 3D in The LEGO Movie 2 isn't bad. It has lots of blur, shouldn't make the audience sick, and helps to make the LEGO characters seem more life-like. However, you won't find much before or beyond the window. I think that it's okay to sit out the 3D experience for The LEGO Movie 2. It doesn't add to the experience of seeing it in theaters more than a 2D showing would, but a LEGO movie is all about heart and humor and 3D doesn't distract from those things.
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