'The LEGO Batman Movie' entertains but lacks the heart of its predecessor

Finally got to see “The LEGO Batman Movie” flying home from vacation recently. I had meant to see it in theaters, but movies don't hang around too long in the theaters here and I had heard a fairly lukewarm review from a friend who'd seen it, so I figured I'd wait for it to be streaming.

As soon as it began, I was smiling from ear to ear. Will Arnett (“Arrested Development,” “Bojack Horseman”) is back to reprise his role as the Dark Knight after voicing him in “The LEGO Movie” from 2014. But midway through the first action sequence, there was something missing. Something hadn't clicked the way it had for me watching the first film.

We begin with the Joker hijacking a plane inexplicably full of explosives, intent on blowing up Gotham City. With him is literally every villain Batman has ever faced, even the really, really lame ones. (It’s been almost 80 years; there’re bound to be some stinkers in there.) Batman arrives and single-handedly stops all the bad guys but has to make a choice: Does he stop the Joker from escaping, or does he save Gotham City?

The story then follows Batman as he struggles with his lack of friends, family or anyone close to him besides his faithful butler, Alfred (voiced by Ralph Fiennes), whom he keeps at a distance like a rebellious teenager.
 

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Lincoln L. Hayes is an actor and filmmaker living in Vermont. He hosts a weekly TV show about classic movies. Learn more about it at www.lincolnlhayes.com.