It started as The Lego Ninjago Movie, now its just Ninjago. Anyway you slice this animated free-for-all, it doesnt measure up to The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. The story, based on a line of building sets that debuted in 2011, concerns high school students who have secret lives as ninjas. Why? They need to protect their hometown of Ninjago, a nation constructed from Lego blocks. Its cool to have them voiced by Fred Armisen, Kumail Nanjiani, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Pea and Zach Woods. But all the caffeinated action in the world cant disguise the fact that Ninjago, directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan from a script by writers too numerous to mention, is mostly spinning its wheels.
The saving grace comes in two terrifically funny voice performances: Dave Franco as Lloyd, the Green Ninja with the added secret burden of being being the estranged son of the teams nemesis, Lord Garmadon. Justin Theroux, so good on HBOs The Leftovers, speaks the role of this four-armed warlord with enough twisted wit to please any grownups dragged along for the Ninjago ride. Think of Darth Vader on laughing gas and youll get some idea of what Theroux is on about. Garmadon really is the father of Ninjagos Luke Skywalker. But the best I can say about this movie is that it has no reverence for anything. The action and jokes pile up with exhausting repetitiveness. But Theroux and Franco make a truly hilarious team. And its a treat to see Jackie Chan show up in person and animated as a wise old shopkeeper. But even three acting aces cant save a movie thats only a full house of crass commercialism.
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