A few weeks ago, I made the choice to watch the LEGO Movie with some friends. Little did I know that what seemed like a trivial decision would lead to such intense nostalgia and life-altering thought. I had groaned when I first watched the trailer, certain that Hollywood was once again trying to ruin my childhood memories by cashing in on a popular franchise. How very wrong I was.

   While there are many aspects of the LEGO Movie that push it to perfection, the star of the movie is its impeccable writing. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the guys behind 21 Jump Street, were chosen to write and direct the LEGO Movie, and it’s clear that they were a perfect choice. I don’t remember a movie that I’ve lol’d more at, and the theater was rarely silent for more than a minute at a time. Lord and Miller managed to find the perfect balance between childish “fart joke” humor and more clever “adult” humor. Regardless of the type of humor, though, I always found myself chortling uncontrollably.

    While the LEGO Movie’s hilarity is its strongest point, it’s not its only strong point. The movie’s animation style is stunning, and with its unique blend of stop-motion and CGI, everything behaves like a LEGO piece. While it takes a back seat to the numerous one-liners and puns, the LEGO Movie’s plot is surprisingly well-done. Although it’s a little simplistic (it’s targeted toward 5 year olds after all), the plotline does delve into some deeper territory, and there’s a lot of things that only adults will catch. It even attempts to teach few lessons here and there, and it feels less ham-fisted than movies that actually try to be “deep.

    The LEGO Movie is one of the best examples of not judging something by its cover. While its childish premise may turn many people off, the LEGO Movie is truly a movie that appeals to everyone. From bed-wetting toddlers to the elderly, anybody who watches it will experience the best hour and a half of their lives. Don’t walk away from the LEGO Movie because it looks like a “kiddie film.” I’m glad I didn’t.