The Lego Batman Movie (2017) * 1/2

Directed by: Chris McKay

Starring:  (voices of) Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Jenny Slate

I was no fan of The Lego Movie (2014); it was chaotic and made little sense.    It was a mixed bag of humor, satire, and populated with so many characters it was easy to lose track of them all.    But, at least it provided an explanation for the chaos.   I haven't written a full review of the film, but I would give it two stars.    I liked the Batman of the first film (voiced by Will Arnett) and I figured a sole focus on just Batman would like The Lego Batman Movie more palatable than its predecessor.    It did not and it isn't.    The Lego Batman movie is a dizzying mess; the filmmakers must have believed they must flood the screen with colors, characters, and action or we would somehow become bored.     We grow bored with the endless action sequences, in-jokes, and self-awareness anyhow. 

Batman's arch-nemesis The Joker (Galifianakis) is trying for the umpteenth time to destroy Gotham as Commissioner Gordon retires and turns the reigns over to his daughter Barbara (Dawson), who will eventually become Batgirl.     The Joker assembles each of Batman's nemeses over the years in a consolidated effort to rid the world of Batman.     The plan doesn't work, but The Joker is more hurt that Batman doesn't consider him his arch enemy than he is by another failed plan.    Batman adores the adulation of the public, but returns to the Batcave with no one to share his success with except for his loyal butler/father figure Alfred (Fiennes). 

The Joker soon surrenders himself and his gang to the new commissioner and now, with no crime on the streets, Batman is a man without a purpose.     He has grown so used to his loneliness that he all but rejects his newly adopted son Robin (Cera), who idolizes the Caped Crusader.     When The Joker hatches his latest plot from behind bars, Batman refuses the help of his allies, preferring to be a loner and do all of the heavy lifting himself.  

My plot description may seem sensible to you, but the movie is an overcrowded, wearying free-for-all with little direction.     The movie almost seems as if it is afraid to slow down, but the effect is pure overload.     Is it possible that with eight different Batman films which have been released in my lifetime (not counting the Lego Movie and Batman's cameo in Suicide Squad) that I am just tired of yet another incarnation?     Even with attempted levity and satire, Batman is still Batman and there are only so many spins you can put on his story.     At least The Lego Batman Movie didn't revisit yet another depiction of Bruce Wayne's parents being murdered and Bruce's evolution into Batman.     I'm surprised they didn't try to squeeze that in.