Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite

Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite is a direct-to-video computer-animated superhero action comedy film based on the video game Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes. Though the film has cutscenes from the video game, the gameplay is replaced by new scenes with the same actors. The plot revolves around Lex Luthor and the Joker teaming up to have the former be elected President, prompting Batman and Robin to join forces with the Justice League to stop them. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on 21 May 2013.

For the 2017 film, see The Lego Batman Movie.

Lego Batman: The Movie –
DC Super Heroes Unite
Cover art
Directed byJon Burton
Produced byJon Burton
Screenplay byDavid A. Goodman
Story by
  • Jon Burton
  • David A. Goodman
Based onLego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes and characters by DC Comics
Starring
Music by
Edited byMatt Corey
Production
company
Warner Premiere
DC Entertainment
The Lego Group
TT Animation
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Warner Home Video
Release date
  • 21 May 2013 (2013-05-21)
Running time
71 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
United States
Denmark
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Batman and Superman arrive at LexCorp and stumble upon a giant Joker-esque robot piloted by Lex Luthor and the Joker, which they use to subdue the pair. The film then flashes back to two days prior, in Gotham City, where an award show attended by the city's finest is being held. After Luthor loses the "Man of the Year" award to Bruce Wayne, much to his frustration, a band of villains led by the Joker attack the ceremony and rob the audience, with the Joker stealing the award. Sneaking out, Bruce dons the Batsuit as he and Robin defeat the villains - Harley Quinn, the Riddler, Two-Face, Catwoman, and the Penguin - before pursuing the Joker, ultimately destroying his motroboat and defeating him at a nearby carnival. The villains are imprisoned at Arkham Asylum, while Superman arrives to congratulate Batman and Robin, much to the former's frustration. Later, believing he could use the Joker's mind controlling gas to be elected President, Luthor breaks him out of Arkham using the "Deconstuctor" - a kryptonite-powered weapon which deconstructs unbreakable black objects. The Joker then uses the Deconstructor to release more inmates, before he and Luthor make their escape. Batman and Robin respond to Commissioner Gordon's distress call and round up the Penguin, Two-Face, Harley, the Riddler, Catwoman, Bane, and Poison Ivy after chasing them through the asylum's yard. However, Batman then realizes the Joker has escaped, and finds some bricks affected by the Deconstructor, which emit an energy signature.

While responding to a break-in at Ace Chemicals, Batman and Robin realize it was the Joker's work and seach for clues as to what he is planning, but the factory is destroyed by a series of explosive chemical reactions provoked by the villain. The duo are rescued by Superman, who puts out the fire, before learning that the chemicals Joker stole can be used to create synthetic kryptonite. Using the Batmobile's on-board computer, Batman and Robin track down the signature to Luthor's armored vehicle the Juggernaut, but fail to prevent them from escaping, as the Batmobile is destroyed by the Deconstructor. Shortly after, Luthor and the Joker track down the Batcave via a transmitter placed inside the synthetic kryptonite that Batman took, as their plan all along was to steal Batman's supply of kryptonite - which he holds in case Superman ever turns evil. As the villains destroy the Batcave and escape with the kryptonite aboard Luthor's aircraft, Batman and Robin escape with Superman's help.

While Robin stays behind to salvage what's left of Batman's equipment, Batman reluctantly goes with Superman to Metropolis, where they infiltrate LexCorp and are attacked by Luthor and the Joker in a giant Joker-esque robot powered by kryptonite. As the villains take off and head towards Gotham, Batman and Superman follow them, but upon exposing the robot's kryptonite power source, the latter is weakened, causing the pair to crash in Gotham. The pair make their way to city hall, where Luthor attempts to use the Joker's gas to influence the public and win the Presidency campaign, only to discover the gas causes people to only adore the Joker. After Superman damages the robot's power source, causing it to leak liquid kryptonite, Batman and Robin (who built a multi colored Batmobile to counter the effects of the Deconstructor) have it chase them around Gotham, creating a giant Joker face, which is seen from the Watchtower by Martian Manhunter. He calls the rest of the Justice League - Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Green Lantern and the Flash - to help, causing Luthor to attempt to destroy Wayne Tower in a final act of retaliation.

After a prolonged battle, the League traps the Joker robot and removes its kryptonite power source, shutting it down. With Luthor and the Joker on their way to jail, Commissioner Gordon thanks Batman for saving Gotham once again, to which he admits he couldn't have done it without his friends' help, and that he is glad to have friends that he can always count on. As the League prepare to rebuild the Batcave, Green Lantern shoots a beacon from his power ring into space in victory, which is seen by Brainiac, who utters "I have located it".

Cast

Crew
  • Jon Burton - Director, Producer, Story
  • Cam Clarke - Casting and Voice Director
  • David A. Goodman - Writer, Story
  • Jeremy Pardon - Director of Photography
  • Sam Register - Executive Producer
  • Benjamin Melniker - Executive Producer
  • Michael Uslan - Executive Producer
  • Kathleen Fleming - Executive Producer

Reception

Jeffrey M. Anderson of Common Sense Media gave the film a score of 9/10, saying the lighthearted superhero action is fun, but with the reservation that it is a big advertisement for the toys.[1]

Mike McGranaghan from Film Racket called it "Beautifully animated and utterly charming" and gave the film 3 out of 4 stars.[2]

Home media

The DVD and Blu-ray release of the film includes the winning entries in a Lego Batman stop-motion animation competition, a featurette on Lego stop-motion animation and episodes of Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Teen Titans that focus on Batman and Robin teaming up with the members of the Justice League featured in this film ("Triumvirate of Terror!" featuring Superman and Wonder Woman, "Scorn of the Star Sapphire!" featuring Green Lantern and Wonder Woman and "Overdrive" featuring Cyborg).

References
  1. Jeffrey M. Anderson (23 May 2013). "LEGO BATMAN: THE MOVIE - DC SUPER HEROES UNITE". Common Sense Media.
  2. Mike McGranaghan (22 May 2013). "LEGO Batman: The Movie -- DC Superheroes Unite". Film Racket.
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