'THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Another computer-animated spin-off (like 'THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE', from earlier this year) of the blockbuster animated hit 'THE LEGO MOVIE'. It's based on the Lego Ninjago toy line, and it tells the story of six teenagers living in the land of Ninjago, that must defend their home from an evil warlord, by battling his monsters with robots and dragons. The leader of the group also has to struggle with the fact that he's the son of the evil conquering warlord. The film was written by a team of nine different screenwriters, and it was directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan (Fisher and Logan also served as two of the writers). The movie stars the voice talents of Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Jackie Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Pena, Zach Woods and Olivia Munn. It's received mixed (to negative) reviews from critics, and it's also disappointed at the Box Office as well (it's done much worse, financially and critically, than the first two installments in the franchise too). I found parts of it to be pretty funny, but given how good the other Lego movies are, it's a pretty disappointing movie.

Six young teenagers have been trained by a powerful ninja, named Master Wu (Chan),to defend their island home of Ninjago, from an evil warlord named Lord Garmadon (Theroux). They have normal high school lives, but whenever Garmadon attacks, they must take on their secret ninja identities, and do battle with him using the help of robots and dragons. The leader of the group, Lloyd Garmadon (Franco),also must deal with the fact that he's the son of the villain their fighting. When Lord Garmadon learns that his greatest enemy is also his son, things take a drastic turn. The ninjas also must defend Ninjago from a giant destructive conquering cat.

The movie is definitely funny, in multiple places, and the animation is fun to watch too (like the other Lego films). It's also well cast, and I'm sure kids will still enjoy it too. The film also drags a lot though, in the middle of the movie at least, and some scenes just aren't very funny (or interesting at all). Unlike the other two franchise installments, the drama of the film didn't work for me at all either. Still, if this is the worst the Lego franchise has to offer, than it should be in good shape for a lot longer.

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Expectations were mixed before seeing 'The LEGO Ninjago Movie'. Part of me was intrigued, having loved the first two films (especially 'The LEGO Batman Movie', while also being shocked at how unexpectedly great 'The LEGO Movie' was). Part of me was also apprehensive, with the critical reception being less than enthusiastic.

Do have to agree that 'The LEGO Ninjago Movie' is the weakest film of the three by quite some way. Does that make it a bad film? No, and despite being an underwhelming film it's, to me, nowhere near close to being awful because there are good things and moments here. 'The LEGO Ninjago Movie' also could have been much better, in comparison to the first two films it is not a patch in quality, judging it on its own it's watchable but falls short. The previous two films were wonderful, this was disappointingly just okay.

'The LEGO Ninjago Movie' does have good things certainly, always try to see the good in disappointing films and even in films that have very little good to them. Like the first two films the animation is impressive, unlike them it's not quite first rate (attention to detail isn't as refined and the visuals aren't as imaginative). The vibrant yet dynamic colours are remarkably vivid to the extent that it makes the eyes pop, the backgrounds are immaculately designed and the characters look remarkably good in Lego form.

Music is breezy yet atmospheric. The voice actors do a good job with what they're given, Justin Theroux in particular is excellent. The father-son relationship does have some heart, it's not particularly new to put it lightly but it is the film's one attempt at depth and it's done pretty well.

Regarding the action and film highlights, the highlight is the Godzilla-style trashing of LEGO city tower blocks by Meowthra (the best character in the film),which was truly enthralling and makes one wish that the rest of the action was on the same level.

However, too many of the characters are bland and the film could have done with having less of them perhaps. The story is too thin for the running time and drags a lot in the middle third especially, for a LEGO film it's a bit dark and heavy perhaps as well.

What worked so brilliantly before doesn't come through here, or at least not enough. Humour isn't enough and when it does appear it's not particularly funny, some of pretty dreary, and isn't as sharp, witty or clever as with the previous two films. It doesn't do enough with the Kung Fu, Ninjago or Japanese monster-movie elements, the mocking/parodying of them may go over younger viewers' heads and be too obvious for older ones and it doesn't execute them cleverly or imaginatively. It doesn't feel as much a celebration and is almost too pandering.

Aside from the father-son relationship, 'The LEGO Ninjago Movie' is rather devoid of heart, with it being lots of chaotic and brash noise but little substance. The action tends to lack clarity and only the Meowthra set piece enthrals, the rest by LEGO film standards is pretty routine and the opposite of block-busting. The inspirational messaging is non-existent and personally did not see the point for Jackie Chan's inclusion and found his scenes little more than padding.

Overall, okay but the weakest and only disappointing film of the three. 5/10 Bethany Cox

A boy walks into an antique shop where the owner (Jackie Chan) shows the kid some special Lego figures and tells him about the story of Ninjago. The city of Ninjago is under constant threat from the evil Garmadon and the powerful Meowthra. Their only defense is the six ninjas in their secret identities. Garmadon's son Lloyd lives his mother in Ninjago. He's estranged from his evil father but the public still treats him with fear and derision. Unknown to them, Lloyd is actually the Green Ninja as one of the six protecting the city under the leadership of Master Wu (Jackie Chan),Garmadon's brother.

Like most of the public, I'm not familiar with Ninjago. That holds me back with this movie and quite frankly, it holds the general public back. As such, this needs to be an origin story. I can see a simple origin story for bullied loner teen Lloyd being recruited into his uncle's secret force. He could train and find friendship in his new activity. By throwing movie into full speed from the start, it's a tough way to find rooting interest in the characters. Everything is fine but without that emotional investment, the movie is not as compelling.