The Lego Batman Movie Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Lego Batman Movie" on Blu-ray is visually stunning and serves as an exemplary demo material. The film’s 2D animation dazzles with vibrant, saturated colors that explode off the screen—Robin’s yellow, green, and red attire is particularly striking. Gotham City is a sensory feast with impeccably detailed shadows, deep black levels, and seamless transitions without any noticeable banding or artifacts. The intricacies of the Batcave, Batmobiles, and various architectural elements are rendered with remarkable precision, offering a breathtaking visual experience.

The 3D version also impresses, thanks to a carefully executed stereoscopic conversion that enhances the film's depth and scale. Despite a slight brightness reduction compared to the 2D version, the 3D presentation is immersive, featuring numerous pop-out effects and rich layering that add to the visual spectacle. Notable scenes like Robin exploring Superman’s fortress and the multi-character battles in Gotham showcase exceptional depth, making the 3D viewing experience both entertaining and expansive. Occasional crosstalk is present but minimal, leaving the overall 3D presentation solid and engaging.

Warner's 1080p MVC-encoded 3D Blu-ray maintains the high standard with vivid colors and remarkably deep blacks. The depiction of both realistic and artificial lighting is perfectly captured, retaining the intended harsh and fluorescent qualities. The details in the LEGO constructions and semi-realistic elements such as water and flames stand out brilliantly. Additionally, specialized sequences like Batman's desaturated mood scenes are visually compelling and evoke the narrative's emotional tones effectively. Despite underutilized disc space, the video quality remains uncompromised, ensuring "The Lego Batman Movie" delivers a top-tier visual experience in both its 2D and 3D formats.

The audio presentation of "The Lego Batman Movie" on Blu-ray excels with its Dolby Atmos track offered on both the 4K UHD and 2D Blu-ray editions. This Atmos track delivers a highly immersive experience, significantly outperforming the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track available on the 3D Blu-ray. The surround and overhead channels are highly active, enhancing the action sequences with precise and enveloping sound, from helicopters roaring overhead to the Batmobiles and Batplanes thundering around. The LFE is tight and clean, contributing to a controlled but robust low end that complements the dynamic range without feeling overly aggressive. Vocals remain crisp and clear, locked into the center channel, ensuring dialogue is consistently intelligible amidst the action-packed soundscape.

Meanwhile, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track on the 3D disc, although quite competent, does not match the Atmos track's depth and clarity. The 5.1 mix offers solid use of surround channels and excellent vocal clarity. Explosions exhibit impressive LFE depth, enabling a somewhat immersive experience, especially noticeable during Batman's high-octane antics. However, compared to the Atmos track, the 5.1 track feels more front-oriented, reducing the overall sense of envelopment. The LFE in the 5.1 track, while present, is not as potent as one might expect, particularly when contrasted with the bass-heavy impact found in "The Lego Movie." Still, this track remains an effective, if slightly less precise, audio experience that surpasses what one might typically find in commercial theater settings.

In summary, while the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track provides a solid listening experience with good vocal clarity and LFE presence, the Dolby Atmos track on the 4K UHD and 2D Blu-ray editions sets a higher standard. Its superior immersion and precision make it the preferred choice for audiophiles seeking an engaging, high-quality audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Lego Batman Movie" offer a robust array of additional content that should delight fans and newcomers alike. The extras are diverse, offering original animation shorts and an intriguing behind-the-scenes glimpse into the movie's creation. Whether it's featurettes exploring the intricate process of bringing the LEGO world to life or amusing shorts that delve into Batman's universe, there's something for everyone. The commentary provided by the director and crew adds depth, offering viewers an understanding of the film's nuances. My only critique concerns specific audio discrepancies, where the 3D disc lacks the enhanced Dolby Atmos track found on the 2D Blu-ray. Here is a structured list of the included extras for your convenience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Animation Shorts: Additional animated shorts like "Dark Hoser" and "Batman is Just Not That Into You."
• The Master: A LEGO Ninjago Short: A short film related to the LEGO Ninjago universe.
• Deleted Scenes: Scenes that didn't make the final cut.
• Featurettes: In-depth featurettes including "One Brick at a Time: Making the Lego Batman Movie."
• Rebrick Contest Winners: Winning entries from a fan contest.
• Film Trailers: Promotional trailers for the movie.
• Lego Life Trailer: Trailer promoting LEGO’s social platform.
• Social Promos: Promos such as "Follow Me Online" and "Batsby New Year's."
• Director and Crew Commentary: Insights and commentary from those who worked on the film.

"The Lego Batman Movie" delivers an energetic and satirical take on the beloved Batman universe, successfully transforming the iconic Caped Crusader into a family-friendly figure. The film notably deviates from its predecessor, "The Lego Movie," by leaning heavily into the vast tapestry of Batman lore. Will Arnett's gravelly-voiced Batman, introduced in the first film, takes center stage here, supported by an impressive roster of voice talent, including Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, and Zach Galifianakis. This ensemble injects life into the comically exaggerated versions of characters familiar to any Batman fan. Galifianakis's Joker, for instance, is reimagined as a spurned suitor seeking validation from Batman, adding layers of humor through their love-hate relationship dynamic.

The plot is a whirlwind of references and parodic takes on half a century of Batman media, making it rich with Easter eggs and in-jokes. From the 1966 TV show's "BIFF" and "POW" to modern cinema nods like the "Dark Knight" trilogy, the film spares no effort to pay homage to every iteration of Batman. This approach brilliantly creates an over-the-top romp that appeals both to die-hard fans and casual viewers. Furthermore, the storyline efficiently introduces new elements such as Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Robin (Dick Grayson), wrapping their origins in the film’s core theme of learning to depend on others.

Visually, "The Lego Batman Movie" is a delight, albeit with elements distinct from "The Lego Movie." While it lacks the latter’s emphasis on master building, it compensates with a diverse array of villains from multiple franchises—including Godzilla and Voldemort—gathered by Joker through the Phantom Zone. Despite its fast-paced plot and densely packed jokes delivered at breakneck speed, the movie loses some momentum towards the end and may feel somewhat episodic. Nonetheless, it remains an entertaining piece that brings to life a lovingly constructed Lego Gotham City filled with fun and laughter.

Rated PG for its blend of action and signature Lego brand humor, "The Lego Batman Movie" ultimately entertains with its playful ribbing of Batman’s storied past while delivering heartwarming lessons on friendship and teamwork.

The Lego Batman Movie Blu-ray version is a highly entertaining addition to the Lego film roster. Although it did not replicate the massive success of The Lego Movie, it offers substantial heart and soul alongside impressive budgetary prowess. Will Arnett's delightful portrayal of Batman provides an engaging experience that elevates the film. The animation is impeccable, making it a visual treat. The 2D presentation is virtually flawless, while the 3D Blu-ray looks stunning. However, it's puzzling that Warner Bros opted to exclude the Atmos track from the 3D disc, forcing audiophiles to watch in 4K UHD or 2D Blu-ray for optimal sound quality. This move, previously seen with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, may frustrate some viewers.

Technically, the Blu-ray delivers an exceptional visual experience. The movie is presented in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio and features multiple audio options including Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core) for the 2D version and DTS-HD MA 5.1 for various languages. Supplemental features are abundant and enhance the overall package, making this release a solid offering for fans of the franchise. While the omission of Atmos in the 3D version is disappointing, the visual clarity and immersive imagery make up for it to a considerable extent.

In conclusion, The Lego Batman Movie is a fun entry into the Lego universe that captures the combined charm of past and present iterations of Batman. From its high-quality animation to Will Arnett's spirited voice performance, the film has much to offer. Despite some audio limitations in the 3D Blu-ray, the overall package is compelling enough to merit a strong recommendation. For those dissuaded by the lack of Atmos on the 3D version, alternative formats are readily available to fully enjoy this enjoyable and heartwarming film. Great Buy.