While Chris Pratt is known for live-action roles such as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Owen Grady in the Jurᴀssic World films, and Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation, he’s also portrayed multiple popular characters in animated films, including in The Lego Movie. In recent years, he has voice acted as famous characters such as Mario and Garfield in their respective theatrical films, as well as playing Barley Lightfoot in Pixar’s Onward a few years prior. However, his first major voice role was about eleven years ago.
The Lego Movie might have played a crucial role in inspiring other similar movies based on toys and game franchises, as it serves as an example of how a film based on an existing IP can actually be excellent and tell an original story. Even so long after its release, it remains not only one of Chris Pratt’s best roles but also one of the best films adapting an existing IP.
Chris Pratt Voiced Average LEGO Figure Emmet In The Lego Movie
Emmet Is A Large Part Of What Makes The Lego Movie Awesome
Unlike Mario and Garfield, Emmet was an original character created specifically for The Lego Movie, but part of the point of his character is that he represents all the basic Lego minifigures that kids grow up playing with. Characters from pre-existing media do have large roles, such as The Lego Movie‘s version of Batman being Lucy’s boyfriend, but the pre-existing characters are all from other media outside their Lego versions. Emmet representing a basic Lego minifigure is important because his role as “The Special” is partly because of how unspecial he is.
It seems likely that Chris Pratt’s role in The Lego Movie played a part in leading him to eventually voice these other classic characters. While Emmet was an original character for The Lego Movie, the success of Pratt’s performance in that role proved his ability to voice act as a lead in a film based on a classic franchise and to do it justice.
How The Lego Movie Compares To The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Lego Movie Is A Really Clever Version Of The Hero’s Journey
The Lego Movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have a lot in common, even outside their lead characters both being voiced by Chris Pratt. Both are animated films that are based on another existing media form that’s often played with by children. They also both feature a character whose life starts out normal and who then ends up going through a version of the classic hero’s journey. Even Lucy and Peach fill similar roles in the narrative.
However, The Lego Movie is clearly the stronger film between the two. There’s a large difference between their Rotten Tomatoes scores, with The Lego Movie having 96% to The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s 59%. And while they might have somewhat similar plot structures that include references to other franchises, The Lego Movie‘s storytelling is a lot more unique than The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The Lego Movie took a long time to make, and its long production time definitely paid off.
The Lego Movie is fully aware that it’s retelling a classic story structure, and it’s happy to both lean into it and deconstruct it, whereas The Super Mario Bros. Movie follows that structure in a much more typical way. In addition, the switch to live-action in The Lego Movie is a shocking moment that adds a layer of depth to its story, and it’s hard for The Super Mario Bros. Movie to compare.
The Lego Movie Is One Of My Favorite Chris Pratt Performances
Emmet Is A Fun Character With A Lot Of Heart
While many characters in The Lego Movie were created specifically for the film, most of them are not just average people, adding emphasis to Emmet’s initial role as an average guy. In juxtaposition, we also have Lucy trying to make herself more interesting by calling herself Wyldstyle, drawing even more attention to Emmet’s normality. While he might not represent a specific Lego character, the fact that everyone else seems like they could come from such specific Lego sets adds more depth to Emmet representing the basic idea of a normal Lego minifigure.
Emmet also feels refreshing as a character because he’s such a kind and happy person most of the time. Unlike most of the other people in the film, he genuinely enjoys his life and his job before discovering the problems with the world. Part of the reason he’s so effective as a hero is because of the way that he holds onto that determination to treat other people with kindness and to believe in himself and his friends. These traits are a large part of why Emmet is one of the best characters in The Lego Movie, as well as the perfect hero for the film.
