Sure, once “The LEGO Movie” was given the green light, it was hard not to want to roll your eyes or deem it a cash grab to tap into a popular brand. I mean, an animated feature about a block-shaped toy? Really? Why not call it what it is, a commercial! But, “The LEGO Movie” did happen, and with spectacularly original results that rival Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise on every creative level.

The beauty of LEGO is that it is the perfect left-brain, right-brain toy. It allows for the mathematical, engineering side of the mind to engage with the unbridled imaginative side, often with singular results. As directed and written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, that dynamic was certainly taken to heart. Audiences of all ages will marvel at how this block-shaped, inanimate object was manipulated to create a wondrous, three-dimensional universe. Yet, it is the imagination unleashed on the narrative that elevates the film even further as a sharp pop culture satire with a moral lesson and more.

Layering brick upon brick of the familiar and the unexpected, “The LEGO Movie” engages as a raucous, intelligent adventure that tickles all funny bones, developed and otherwise. The laboratory that made “The LEGO Movie” come to life is definitely run by people who have yet to relinquish their inner child. That brings it all back to the essential ingredient in adapting anything for the screen: trust your source material. In this case, trust the spirit of the toy. So, how do you give you a plastic block life? Easy. Turn it into a “block party” with a collective of its most popular characters.

Entrusting “The LEGO Movie” to the team behind “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” is a no-brainer. Yet, knowing said team was also the twisted duo behind the ribald comedy hit “21 Jump Street” was inspired. Part of the fun of the film is how the toy itself is never treated in a precious or campy manner. (In fact, the iconic brick details and figurine clip hands are actually responsible for several of the best sight gags.) At a recent press conference held appropriately at LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, CA, Lord and Miller were asked whether LEGO placed any restraints on their efforts.

legomovie-review

“We tried not to show them ’21 Jump Street,’” a sly Lord said.

“We wouldn’t have been interested in it if it were, “We want to sell these toys! Come help us sell these toys!” Miller added. “They’re doing really well as a company. They didn’t need a movie. They had the same level of skepticism about a movie that we did. Everybody agreed that it had to be a film that was about something. They were very supportive of us and let us make the movie we wanted to make.”

At this point, one of their quick-witted stars, the great Morgan Freeman, couldn’t resist interjecting, “Be bold, and take some risks. Hire Morgan Freeman.”

Exactly.

It’s a good thing Lord and Miller engaged a “no restraint” policy all the way through to release. The mood at the park’s Playtown Theatre was a feisty one thanks to Freeman, co-stars Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks & Will Arnett, along with the film’s producer Dan Lin and animation co-director Chris McKay. Perhaps it was outsized playground environment of LEGOLAND or the exceptional sets from the film in the background that made everyone giddy.

Best reveal? A wicked Arnett admitting to a curious Banks that he went to see “The Hunger Games” with Freeman before admitting, “No, I haven’t actually seen ‘The Hunger Games. But they’re great, right?”

It sure wasn’t the time to go full Charlie Rose with this bunch, and appropriately so. Think about it. Why ask the analytical or probing about a film that runs wild with color and fun? Don’t ask, “How did you tap into your inner LEGO?” Save that for James Lipton. Here’s more on how the block party known as “The LEGO Movie” was assembled… instructions included.

QUESTION: Will, how did you approach creating the voice of Batman?

WILL ARNETT (Batman/Bruce Wayne): I read the Old Testament repeatedly. [Laughs] Phil and Chris and I talked earlier on about the idea of looking at all the Batman that had come before.

MORGAN FREEMAN (Vitruvius): All the way back to…?

ARNETT: Back to the Batman before the dinosaurs. I feel like Morgan’s really judging my answer here. We were trying to see what would make us laugh about what we liked about all those Batman. The first couple of sessions we spent a lot of time finding that voice, what was kind of working, what wasn’t. We kept hitting on that the more serious Batman took himself, the funnier he was. That’s kind of where we ended up.

FREEMAN: Why was there no Robin?

CHRISTOPHER MILLER (Director/Screenwriter): We thought it was funny that Batman thinks her works alone. There actually was a joke at the very end of the movie that we had for a minute. Batman said, “You guys (Emmet and Wyldstyle) should be together. Batman works alone anyway. Come on Robin and Alfred, let’s go!” [Laughter]

QUESTION: Was there anything unique about playing a LEGO Mini-Figure. Were you limiting your movements in the recording booth in order to articulate being a toy?

FREEMAN: What? [Laughter]

ELIZABETH BANKS (Wyldstyle/Lucy): Why would you follow that?

CHRIS PRATT (Emmet): Because Morgan told me! Well…you know…

FREEMAN: That’s good enough! [Laughter]

QUESTION: How have your children all responded to seeing “The LEGO Movie?”

PHIL LORD (Director/Screenwriter): No kids! I have a pass.

MILLER: I have two kids. One is just turning five and could not be more excited about this movie. And he’s seen it from the very beginning to the end. He’s here at LEGOLAND for the first time and his head is exploding.

FREEMAN: My youngest kid is 41 years old. [Laughter]

ARNETT: So, he’s not that excited. Alright! I have a three year-old and a five year-old and they’re both extremely excited. My youngest…I love it. He keeps referring to the movie as the LEGO Batman Movie. [Laughter] Sorry, guys.

BANKS: My nearly three year-old son calls my Wyldstyle mini-fig Mommy LEGO and I don’t say anything. I let him think that.

QUESTION: Did any of you create a backstory for your character?

ARNETT: Well, for me…[laughter] I had the easiest job in the sense that everybody knows who Batman is. What was fun was taking that iconic character, who is such a part of the fabric of popular culture and changing the rules to him a little bit. That was fun and funny to me. He’s not necessarily the Batman that we’ve all become accustomed to.

FREEMAN: I thought it was cool.

ARNETT: Thank you! [Laughter] I’m never going to forget you saying that! [Laughter]

PRATT: Emmet’s journey as a character is a very clear story. If he was to ever as an old man say, “Let me tell you a story about my life,” he would just pop in the “The LEGO Movie” DVD and say, “This is the entire story of my life.” [Laughter] There wasn’t a lot of backstory because you know exactly who is. When he starts out he’s a lonely character who doesn’t feel like anyone thinks that he’s special. He’s given an opportunity to do something extraordinary and test himself and prove that he can believe in himself. Also, become less lonely by inheriting this family of Master Builders. I didn’t have to have too much backstory. And in terms of like being “Doofus with Extraordinary Things Happening Around Him,” I was like, “Oh, I know how to do that. It’s happening in my real life.”

BANKS: I love that Wyldstyle really wanted to feel special in her life and isn’t quite sure what her place in the world is. Her real name is Lucy. Wyldstyle is the personality that she takes on so that she can date Batman. Dark and brooding, hoodies and cool, a “too cool for school” kind of thing. And over the course the movie she realizes that he’s a narcissistic jerk; that she can do better. I love that. She falls in love…she’s got a lot going on.

QUESTION: Chris and Phil, the film plays to kids and adults. Did you approach writing it for children first in a way that would benefit adults, too? Or was reaching adults your initial goal?

FREEMAN: Look at these guys! [Laughter]

MILLER: We’re clearly not adults. Every movie that we do, whether it’s an R-rated or a family movie, we approach it the same way. Just trying to make each other laugh.

LORD: It just so happens that our sense of humor is so juvenile that it appeals to children as well.

QUESTION: What is the lesson to be found in “The LEGO Movie” for all children?

MILLER: See it again. [Laughter].

LORD: Very important lesson for all children to learn! [Laughter]

MILLER: There’s lots more details on a second viewing. But also, they should be inspired to also be creative and build, try new things and innovate. That’s the message for everyone.

“The LEGO Movie” is now playing nationwide.