From apps to movies to free in-store mini builds, get ready for The Lego Movie.
Opening nationwide on February 7, Warner Bros.’ combination stop-motion and CGI film follows the adventures of everyday Lego Minifigure Emmet (Delivery Man’s Chris Pratt), who has been mistakenly identified as “the Special,” a Lego who is key to keeping the Lego world from being glued together by evil Lord Business (Will Ferrell).
Chances are that if your children have been clamoring to see the film, they are already Lego fans. So, how can you help diffuse their Lego fever as they wait anxiously for the film’s release?
Check out these parent-saving, kid-winning ways to prep for The Lego Movie:
If you live in one of the lucky cities that already has an official Lego Store, your child (age 6-14) can participate in free monthly mini model builds (in most stores, it’s the first Tuesday of every month) and take their creation home for free. (See more details on the Lego Store’s regular free mini builds on its calendar here.)
But, maybe it’s winter and, just maybe, you’d just rather not bundle up the little ones (yet again) to slowly trudge through your second or third polar vortex of the season to play with Legos in a store. You’re still in luck, since Lego fun can totally be had in the warmth of your own home with the free iOS Lego Movie Maker app for little Lego-loving Spielbergs in the making. Kids four and up can use the app to direct a simple 10-second film by snapping pictures of their Lego Minifigures, changing their characters’ positions, then taking another photo, and so on. Car chase, picnic at the park, alien takeover? The sky’s the limit. Then, children can customize their film with effects and music. Tip: kids can probably use this app on their own, but results will likely be greatly improved with some parental involvement or consultation.
How about Legos as snacks? Oh yes. A Lego-constructed Oreo-dispensing machine is really a thing. Once you wrap your noggin around the idea that Legos can (finally) work for you, take a look at BrickUltra’s step-by-step video tutorial on exactly how to build the Oreo machine of your dreams (using Double Stuf Oreos)!
Rather not create but still want entertainment by others’ Lego-mations? If you’ve seen all the Hobbit and Star Wars’ Lego specials on Cartoon Network, it may be time to branch out into the more imaginative and ever so slightly avant-garde cyber world of Lego videos:
If your kids have ever wondered what it would be like to actually live in the world of Lego with its artificial yellow sheen and pop-off hairstyle changes, then they’ll want to check out this spec ad Hugh Mitton and friends made in 2010 to show what The Lego Movie might have looked like if it had used real actors instead of CGI. Their “little” film now has over two million views. Watch:
Not to be outdone, amateur Lego lovers have reenacted numerous classic films, brick by brick, from Jaws to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A well-received Web favorite is the jaw-dropping attention to detail in a 2009 reenactment of one of The Matrix’s most famous scenes. Prepare to be awed when comparing the minute details captured in this scene-by-scene Lego reconstruction (which took over 440 hours to complete) to the original, groundbreaking sci-fi classic.
Obviously, no trip into online Lego-liciousness would be complete without a little visit to one of comedian Eddie Izzard’s many classic comedy bits, translated by fans into Lego. Somehow, Izzard’s very descriptive comedy meshes well when visualized in plastic. And, although his prickly descriptors are not always family friendly, one of his very best pieces is forever captured in bleeped brick-motion. Enjoy this amalgam of Eddie Izzard-Star Wars-Lego in this 2011 “clean” rendering of the classic routine “Death Star Canteen,” starring Lego Minifigure Darth Vader.
Whether you’re inspired by Lego to create your own film or feel content to just sit back, relax and enjoy the entertainment made by others, let us know more about what Lego activities you love.
