The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Blu-ray Review

"The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" delivers a stunning visual presentation on Blu-ray. The 2.39:1 AVC encoded video boasts a vibrant and diverse palette that captures the essence of the LEGO universe. Every scene is rich with vivid primary colors that pop with authority, whether it's Emmet's construction worker orange outfit or the glittery highlights of the alien invaders. The movie's meticulous textural detail showcases the wear and tear on each LEGO brick, giving them individual character. The real-world sequences feature well-rounded foundational colors and solid texturing, while maintaining excellent clarity and deep black levels.

The contrast and brightness balance are exceptional, with crisp, brilliant whites and extraordinary highlights that enhance the visual impact of the Systar System's exuberant scenes. The black levels are marvelously inky, maintaining outstanding visibility within the darkest corners of the frame. The fine details are impeccable, with every bump and scratch on the LEGO pieces clearly visible, creating an immersive experience. Eagle-eyed viewers might note traces of noise, banding, or compression issues, but these are minimal and do not detract from the overall quality.

Overall, "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" on Blu-ray is a reference-quality video presentation that brings the colorful and detailed world of LEGO to life. Whether in the brightly colored chaos of Bricksburg or the dusty environment of Apocalypseberg, the visual quality is consistently excellent. This Blu-ray transfer successfully enhances the appeal of an already visually dynamic film, making it a superb addition to any collection.

The audio presentation of "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" on Blu-ray is robust and highly dynamic, significantly enhanced by the included Dolby Atmos soundtrack. At its native calibrated reference level, the audio may initially seem somewhat restrained. However, increasing the volume by a few decibels reveals an impressive soundscape brimming with deep, impactful bass, particularly during high-energy action sequences. Emmet's dramatic landings are punctuated by powerful low-end pulses that reverberate through the entire stage, while other intense scenes are equally complemented by well-balanced, discrete sound movements across various speakers. The spatial deployment via overhead channels, though subtle, effectively enhances the overall atmospheric presence.

Moreover, the sound track’s fidelity extends to musical elements, delivering pop-laden beats that are both loud and crystal clear. The music is meticulously integrated into the sound field with dominant front-channel focus but balanced seamlessly with the surrounds. Ambient effects are expertly positioned, enhancing immersion even in quieter scenes, and contributing to a well-defined auditory environment. Additionally, dialogue remains consistently clear and sharply focused within the center channel, effortlessly standing out against the backdrop of dynamic audio effects.

In summary, despite requiring a slight volume adjustment for optimal enjoyment, this Dolby Atmos mix stands out for its clarity, depth, and immersive qualities. It admirably supports the film’s vibrant and fast-paced nature, making for an engaging auditory experience that complements the visual spectacle of the movie.

The Blu-ray extras for "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part" offer a comprehensive and engaging array of content that enhances the film experience. Viewers are treated to a mix of behind-the-scenes insights, interactive segments, and additional short films that expand upon the LEGO universe. The video quality of these extras maintains the vibrant and detailed aesthetics of the main feature, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience throughout. The audio commentary provides valuable insights into the filmmaking process, while the sing-along track and various promotional materials cater to a wide audience, from children to die-hard fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Everything is Awesome Sing-Along: Sing-along track, trivia, games, and more.
• Audio Commentary: Director Mike Mitchell with filmmakers Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and animation director Trisha Gum.
• They Come in Pieces: Assembling The LEGO Movie 2: Short connecting behind-the-scenes clips.
• Emmet's Holiday Party: A LEGO Movie Short: Holiday-themed animated short.
• Outtakes & Deleted Scenes: Various cut scenes and bloopers.
• Music Video: Beck with Robyn and The Lonely Island performing "Super Cool."
• Promotional Materials: Various brief featurettes and promo spots.

"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" provides an engaging continuation of the whimsical and vibrant world introduced in the original 2014 film. Returning to Bricksberg, now devastated by alien attacks and renamed Apocalypseberg, the sequel follows Emmett (voiced by Chris Pratt) on a new adventure to rescue his friends, including Lucy (voiced by Elizabeth Banks), from the clutches of Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi in the Systar System. Despite the lively visuals and commendable voice acting, this installment doesn’t quite capture the unexpected magic of its predecessor.

The film’s narrative starts strong as it explores Apocalypseberg’s post-apocalyptic charm akin to "Mad Max," delivering an atmospherically rich and engaging first act. Emmett's unyielding optimism juxtaposed with the bleak surroundings offers both humor and heart. Unfortunately, as the story progresses into outer space, the pacing falters, resulting in a series of loosely connected scenes rather than a cohesive tale. The twist involving Rex Dangervest (also voiced by Pratt) lacks surprise and gravitas, diminishing the emotional impact seen in the original film’s father-son dynamic. The heavier incorporation of live-action elements further disrupts immersion, feeling somewhat heavy-handed and pandering.

Visually, "The Lego Movie 2" maintains the franchise’s standard of colorful, intricate animation, though it does not push any new boundaries. The soundtrack features another earworm that rivals "Everything is Awesome," ensuring it remains memorable, particularly for younger audiences. While the film is entertaining and retains a sense of fun with its quirky characters and scenarios, it ultimately pales in comparison to the innovative brilliance of the first movie. It rehashes familiar themes without significantly advancing them, resulting in a sequel that delights but does not amaze.

"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" offers a solid Blu-ray experience, though it falls short of the groundbreaking nature of its predecessor. While the sequel doesn't quite capture the novel charm or heartfelt narrative of the original, it remains an enjoyable family entertainment, brimming with vibrant animation and catchy tunes. The film's storyline feels more manufactured, seemingly aimed at extending the franchise rather than delivering an essential narrative. Nonetheless, the sequel provides cool ideas and maintains an engaging, fun atmosphere, even if it doesn't quite achieve the same emotional depth as its predecessor.

Warner Brothers continues to demonstrate their prowess in home video quality with this Blu-ray release. Featuring a stunning 2.39:1 AVC video presentation, the animation is showcased in brilliant 1080p clarity. Audio options are impressive, headlined by a Dolby Atmos track that offers an immersive listening experience, particularly after adjusting for optimum volume. Supporting audio formats include Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and DTS-HD MA 5.1, with additional options in French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Subtitles are available in English SDH, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Though the extras are relatively modest and somewhat generic, they add reasonable value to the package. "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" Blu-ray release comes highly recommended for families seeking fun and visually stunning entertainment.

I honestly think that we’re a little spoiled these days. Twenty years ago, The Lego Movie 2 would have been hailed as a great animated kids flick, but today’s high standards set by studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks make anything short of greatness seem underwhelming. Objectively, it’s just not as good as the first movie. However, Warner continues to impress with their Blu-ray releases; the great audio and video make for a pleasurable viewing experience. With decent extras included, this is a recommendable fun watch for all ages.