A Lego Brickumentary is a very good and very well crafted documentary--whether you are a Lego lover or not. While I enjoyed The Lego Movie, I never bought my kids Lego and don't collect the toy...and I enjoyed it quite a bit, as did my non-Lego loving wife.When the film begins, you see the narrator...and it's a walking talking Lego man (actually, it's the voice of Jason Bateman set to the movements of a cute Lego character). He begins with talking about the history of the Lego company, which was started by a wood carver, Ole Kistiansen, in Billund, Denmark. With very humble beginnings, it managed to grow the second highest grossing toy company in the world! But the film is much more than just the history of the company. What follows is discussion of the love of the toy...often by adults. Among the many topics covered are the work of the Master Builders who make huge creations for the company, the creation of a full-size X-wing fighter made of Lego blocks, Lego conventions, AFOLs (adult fans of Lego), the use of Legos as a therapy tool for autistic children and much, much more. I was very surprised, as this really doesn't sound very interesting as I write it, but it really was a very interesting and occasionally moving documentary. A few scenes even brought tears to my eyes (but don't tell my wife)...it was amazingly interesting considering it's just a toy.The bottom line is that although Legos seem like a rather mundane topic, the film is extremely well made and never left me bored. Plus, you've got to love a film with wonderful ending credits like you see in this movie. If you are interested (and everyone probably would be if they give the film a chance), it's out this week on Netflix and is well worth your time. And, if you are a AFOL, you will absolutely adore this film.

This movie was nothing but dope. As dope as The Lego Movie. A LEGO Brickumentary explores what seems to be by the documentary standards a history of the invention of Lego, but mostly it goes through how Lego has changed lives since it's invention. It's a geek culture that I am aware of but sadly I'm not fully a part of, despite my admiration to the product. The filmmakers due an amazing job of impressing me with how far beyond the bricks have come from being just a toy.It's fitting that the documentary spends a lot of time unavailing a life size X-wing fighter from the movie Star Wars, another product that sparked the same type of geek culture.But the movie documents how Legos are more awesome than the Star Wars movies (except Star Wars geeks have better nicknames). The documentary showcases how Kids teens and Adults use Legos literally as a tool for the imagination, similar to a pen and a pad (and this is what I love most about the toys). It also shows the growing cult phenomenon that goes outside of the Lego company with people who are able to make a living off of Legos without the company's permission and how Lego encourages this, not something you expect from the #2 biggest toy company in the world.I feel like Lego does not get enough credit that it deserves, I'm hoping this doc changes that. It has inspired me to pick up the Legos I have.

"LEGO toys build anything. Especially pride." LEGO A LEGO Brickumentary is a memorable documentary about one of the world's most successful businesses devoted to only one toy, but perhaps the most creative toy ever devised. Although the doc could be considered an extended ad for the little building blocks, and in a way it is whether the filmmakers mean it or not, the film is a colorful—in all senses of the word—history. Its founders and artists are more creative and enthusiastic, I suspect, than even lucky Google employees.Or maybe even eccentric: the founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, kept building new factories after at least three in a row burned down, the first one the original LEGO factory in Denmark. That joyful determination pervades the enterprise, where artists and scientists collaborate (Lego is a model of creativity sharing) like brainy kids given their first Gilbert chemistry sets.If one doesn't work for LEGO, it doesn't mean you aren't invested in the product: Brickartist Nathan Sawaya in Manhattan claims to spend more than $100,000 a year on the bricks. His full-size human and animal LEGO artworks show his investment and enthusiasm as well as mesmerizing subjects.It's worth seeing if only for the grand creations such as a full-sized plane and a village so beautifully appointed you'll want to shrink just to live there. If I sound rhapsodic, then so be it, for I am good with following the instructions when my grandson Toby and I put a themed model together. I leave digging out old bricks to create something unique to Toby.If you loved The Lego Movie, this doc will show you the models used in that lovable film, and if you wonder what AFOLS is (Adult Fans of LEGO), or if you're curious how LEGOs are used in therapy, then sit back and relax with this unusual Brickumentary.

Greetings again from the darkness. Toys can be fun, educational, relaxing, challenging, and yes, even profitable. No toy exemplifies all of these characteristics better than LEGO. Co-directors Kief Davidson and Daniel Junge go "Beyond the Brick" (the film's original title) as they explore the history and community of these fascinating plastic pieces. Founder Ole Kirk Christiansen (of Denmark) began as a maker of wooden toys, but in 1947 he discovered a plastic molding machine which, within a couple of years, revolutionized his company and the toy industry. The company is still family-owned and is now a $4 billion company and the second largest in the industry despite competing in only one category of toys. It's a remarkable business case study, and an equally remarkable study in social impact. If you own LEGO pieces from 1955, they will still work with the bricks and pieces being produced today … planned obsolescence is not part of the LEGO business strategy. The film introduces us to the designers, the master builders, and the community of LEGO aficionados known as AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO). We also learn of a LEGO language filled with acronyms that permeate the competitions, fairs, and conferences. In the early 2000's, the company posted its first ever loss, but quickly rebounded by listening to their loyal customer base and making the necessary product changes. Last year's award-winning animated THE LEGO MOVIE has stimulated even more interest in the tubes and studs … as well as permanently stamping our brains with the "Everything is Awesome" song. Jason Bateman narrates the film – as a minifig – and adds a splash of color and visual acumen to the story telling process. It's important to note that visuals are a key factor in some of the breathtaking creations of the brand's most committed devotees. This includes the work of one who re-creates classical artwork for a gallery in NYC, and a stunning life-sized model of the Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter in Manhattan. We also see how LEGO plays a role as Autism therapy for kids, and even for mock-ups at NASA.The LEGO community is most impressive. They actually participate in suggesting and designing new products, and the online network of LEGO stop-action short films act as a combined marketing strategy and challenge to other users. LEGOLAND doesn't draw much attention here, but the loyalty and creativity of the customers is quite something to behold. It's a reminder that the smartest companies collaborate with (rather than dictate to) their customer base … but most can only dream of this deep LEGO relationship with AFOL.