The Lego Ninjago Movie Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The LEGO Ninjago Movie" aligns with its predecessors in delivering a top-tier visual experience. Presented in 1080p resolution with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the transfer exhibits incredible detail and texture, highlighting the fine nuances of paint and plastic wear on the LEGO figures and environments. The dynamic range delivers vibrant colors that are bursting with intensity, from the piercing red eyes of Lord Garmadon to the lush green trees and deep blue skies. Explosions are fiery and dynamic, with rich reds, while nighttime sequences maintain deep and inky black levels, though some shadowy corners may struggle slightly. Overall, this is a meticulously crafted and visually stunning presentation.

Depth and dimensionality are executed with precision, providing a spacious feeling that immerses viewers in the LEGO world. Close-ups reveal tiny plastic bubbles and scuff marks, showcasing high clarity throughout the film. Despite the jumpy and jittery nature of the characters, there are no signs of distortion or noise, maintaining a clean image with minimal perceptible artifacts. While action sequences can appear a bit softer, and minor pixelation in larger explosions may occur, the overall image remains polished and slick. Attention to detail is consistently strong, making every scene pop with impressive visual fidelity.

The integration of live-action segments maintains good definition and textural stability, contributing to the film's overall aesthetic appeal. The encoding is proficiently handled with MPEG-4 AVC on a BD-50 layer, ensuring excellent clarity and detail retention. While some minor instances of color banding are present, they are fleeting and do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. In conclusion, Warner Brothers has delivered a visually rich and engaging Blu-ray transfer that stands out for its vivid color reproduction, deep black levels, and impeccable detail.

Warner Brothers has truly excelled with the Dolby Atmos track for "The Lego Ninjago Movie." Following a streak of high-caliber releases like "IT" and "Blade Runner 2049," this latest offering continues to impress with a sonic landscape that's both immersive and dynamic. The film's audio mix mirrors its animated chaos, delivering explosive action through each scene. The overheads are effectively utilized, adding depth and height to the battles between ninjas and Garmadon. Dialog remains consistently strong and clear, underscored by LFE that resonates powerfully throughout the listening area, bringing Meowthra's footsteps and energy blasts to life with thunderous authority.

The Dolby Atmos experience is nothing short of phenomenal, taking full advantage of all channels to create a truly encompassing sound field. Action sequences explode with low-end depth and engaging, zipping overhead elements. Key moments, like Garmadon’s fighters zooming through Ninjago, are aural highlights, featuring deftly placed effects that command the soundstage. Moreover, the music score is robust and energetic, seamlessly flowing through the mix with considerable power and confidence. Surround sound presentation is impeccable, offering clean, well-layered effects that naturally filter through the environment.

Audio dynamics are particularly praiseworthy in this soundtrack. The engineering boasts meticulous design, balancing natural sounds with layered effects that add realism and depth. The mix is attentive, effectively utilizing height channels without overdoing it and maintaining perfect distance and volume placement across speakers. The inclusion of English 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 7.1 Dolby TrueHD formats further enriches the audio experience. Overall, "The Lego Ninjago Movie" provides a top-tier immersive audio experience, where dialogue remains clear and enriching, ensuring it stands out amid the zany action and musical underscore.

The Blu-ray extras for "The LEGO Ninjago Movie" are comprehensive and engaging, offering a deep dive into the film's production, artistry, and fan involvement. These bonus materials showcase various aspects of filmmaking such as choreographing complex Kung Fu movements with Jackie Chan’s influence, the creative process behind building Ninjago, and fan-made shorts from the Rebrick Contest. The deleted scenes, commentary track featuring multiple key crew members, and an assortment of mini-movies and music videos provide a rich, multi-faceted experience. Additionally, viewers get a sneak peek at the TV series and various promotional videos that enhance the enjoyment of Ninjago's world. Overall, this collection of extras is a must-watch for fans and provides an extensive look at what goes into making such an animated feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Team Supreme: Building NINJAGO®: Overview of filmmakers' contributions and film's aspects.
• Rumble in the Bricks: Choreographing Kung Fu movements with Jackie Chan's involvement.
• Rebrick Contest Winners: Fan-made shorts.
• Mini-Movies: Various LEGO-themed shorts.
• LEGO® NINJAGO® TV Series Sneak Peek: Preview for the TV show.
• Music Videos: Multiple music videos including "Found My Place".
• Deleted Scenes: Three deleted scenes with optional commentary.
• Gimme Some Outtakes!: Humorous asides from the shoot.
• Promotional Material: Comical shorts introducing the movie and characters.
• Audio Commentary: Detailed track from Director Charlie Bean and a comprehensive crew.

"The Lego Ninjago Movie" extends LEGO’s remarkable transformation into a cinematic franchise, albeit with a lighter, more child-centric focus than its predecessors. The movie revolves around Lloyd (Dave Franco), who, despite being ostracized at school because his father is the nefarious Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), secretly protects Ninjago City as the Green Ninja alongside his equally underappreciated friends. The plot kicks off when Lloyd, frustrated by his father's indifference, uses the ultimate weapon, inadvertently unleashing Meowthra, a live-action cat that wreaks havoc on the city. From here, Lloyd, joined by his ninja companions under Master Wu’s (Jackie Chan) guidance, embarks on a mission to retrieve the ultimate weapon to restore peace.

The narrative strikes a familiar balance of humor and heartwarming themes characteristic of LEGO films, focusing on Lloyd's strained relationship with Garmadon. While the story doesn't reach the innovative heights of "The Lego Movie" or "The Lego Batman Movie," it delivers consistent laughs through a blend of original humor and witty references to other films like "Independence Day" and "Top Gun." Justin Theroux stands out with his over-the-top portrayal of Garmadon, providing some of the film's most entertaining moments. However, the character depth and emotional arcs are more superficial compared to earlier LEGO movies, making it feel like an elongated TV episode rather than a blockbuster.

Visually, "The Lego Ninjago Movie" dazzles with its intricate set designs and action sequences involving impressive mechs and monsters. The fast-paced action can sometimes feel overwhelming but is generally well-choreographed. Despite its shortcomings in wit and ingenuity compared to its forebears, the film remains an enjoyable family-friendly flick. Its charm and playful spirit make it an appealing watch for children, even if it may not captivate adults as deeply as previous LEGO outings.

"The Lego Ninjago Movie" Blu-ray showcases a delightful blend of humor, action, and drama that will appeal to both children and adults. Despite its characters being somewhat one-dimensional, the engaging storyline and lively performances, particularly by Jackie Chan, elevate the film to highly entertaining heights. Dave Franco's portrayal of Lloyd could have been stronger, but other voice actors deliver enjoyable performances. The movie aligns more closely with "The Lego Movie" than "The Lego Batman Movie," offering a fresh, standalone story that doesn't require prior knowledge of the series.

Technically, the Blu-ray release excels. The video quality is outstanding with a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, though there is occasional softness in some action scenes. The Dolby Atmos audio track is exceptional, delivering an immersive experience that will please audiophiles and casual viewers alike. Warner Brothers has included a generous array of extras, many of which will primarily entertain younger audiences but are still a commendable addition.

In summary, "The Lego Ninjago Movie" offers a fun and engaging viewing experience, both as an addition to the Ninjago series and as a standalone feature. While it may not match the high standards set by previous Lego films, it is still a commendable effort with excellent technical specifications and a robust selection of extras. Recommended for fans of the franchise and families looking for an entertaining movie night option.