The LEGO Ninjago Movie | Film review - Disappointingly wonky

(Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture)

Find Your Inner Piece.

The makers of the enchantingly loopy Lego Movie and its equally daft Batman spin-off give the Danish toy company’s iconic plastic bricks a martial arts spin in The Lego Ninjago Movie, but this disappointing instalment suggests that the Lego film franchise may not be as durable as its makers clearly hope.

Dave Franco voices the film’s young hero, Lloyd, an unassuming high-school kid who happens to be the secret leader of a six-strong ninja team, protectors of the island city of Ninjago. And, in an echo of Star Wars, the ninjas’ chief adversary is Lloyd’s estranged dad, Lord Garmadon (voiced by Justin Theroux).

There are some nifty visual gags here, but not nearly enough to bring sparkle to the film’s lacklustre quest narrative, although Jackie Chan adds some twinkling charm in the live-action sequences that frame the plastic-brick action.

Certificate U. Runtime 101 mins. Directors Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, Bob Logan

The Lego Ninjago Movie is available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital from Warner Bros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5JV3nVOLMA

A film critic for over 25 years, Jason admits the job can occasionally be glamorous – sitting on a film festival jury in Portugal; hanging out with Baz Luhrmann at the Chateau Marmont; chatting with Sigourney Weaver about The Archers – but he mostly spends his time in darkened rooms watching films. He’s also written theatre and opera reviews, two guide books on Rome, and competed in a race for Yachting World, whose great wheeze it was to send a seasick film critic to write about his time on the ocean waves. But Jason is happiest on dry land with a classic screwball comedy or Hitchcock thriller.