The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017)
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A teenage ninja must confront his sinister father and discover his true purpose as a new threat endangers his homeland.
The story
In the LEGO universe, a young boy learns the story of Ninjago, a city frequently terrorized by the evil warlord Lord Garmadon. Garmadon's constant attacks have left his son, Lloyd, despised by the citizens for his lineage. Secretly, Lloyd is the Green Ninja, leader of a team of ninja who fight Garmadon with mechs. When Garmadon unveils a giant new mech, the ninja must find a way to permanently vanquish him. Lloyd struggles with his identity and his father's legacy while the team seeks a way to protect their home from the escalating threat.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
A young boy visits a relic shop where Mr. Liu tells him the history of Ninjago, a city plagued by the warlord Lord Garmadon. Lloyd, Garmadon's son, is shunned by the public but secretly leads a team of ninja—Kai, Cole, Jay, Zane, and Nya—guided by Master Wu. After Garmadon reveals a massive new mech, Wu informs the ninja that only their 'unique element' can defeat him. Lloyd is frustrated to find his element is 'green' while his teammates possess fire, earth, lightning, ice, and water. Garmadon eventually defeats Lloyd with his new mech. Lloyd attempts to use the 'Ultimate Weapon,' which turns out to be a laser pointer attracting a live-action cat named Meowthra. After Lloyd unmasks himself and denounces his father, the ninja must find the 'Ultimate, Ultimate Weapon' to stop Meowthra. During their journey, Wu falls into a river and tells the ninja to find 'inner peace.' They eventually reach the Temple of Fragile Foundations, Garmadon's childhood home, where Garmadon reveals Lloyd's mother was the warrior 'Lady Iron Dragon.' Garmadon traps the ninja in the collapsing temple, but Lloyd realizes 'inner peace' means unleashing their elemental power. They escape and return to Ninjago City. Garmadon is eaten by Meowthra but is later regurgitated. Lloyd reveals his identity as the Green Ninja, explains that 'green' means life, and reconciles with his father. Meowthra becomes the city's mascot, and Lloyd is hailed as a hero.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- Denmark; United States; Australia
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Charlie Bean; Paul Fisher; Bob Logan
- Writers
- Bob Logan · screenplay; Paul Fisher · screenplay; William Wheeler · screenplay; Tom Wheeler · screenplay; Jared Stern · screenplay; John Whittington · screenplay; Hilary Winston · story; Bob Logan · story; Paul Fisher · story; William Wheeler · story; Tom Wheeler · story; Dan Hageman · story; Kevin Hageman · story
- Cast and characters
- Dave Franco · Lloyd Garmadon / Green Ninja; Michael Peña · Kai / Fire Ninja; Kumail Nanjiani · Jay / Lightning Ninja; Abbi Jacobson · Nya / Water Ninja; Zach Woods · Zane / Ice Ninja; Fred Armisen · Cole / Earth Ninja; Jackie Chan · Master Wu; Justin Theroux · Lord Garmadon; Olivia Munn · Koko
- Genres
- animated; martial arts comedy; science fantasy; superhero comedy; action comedy
- Themes
- Father-son relationships; Identity; Inner peace; Teamwork
- Tone and mood
- Comedy; Action; Sentimental
- Setting
- The city of Ninjago within the LEGO universe
- Premise and plot tags
- Spin-off; Metafictional; Sentient toys; School bullying; Dysfunctional families
- Source material / true-story basis
- The toy/kit line of the same name and the TV show starring the same characters
- Franchise connections
- The Lego Movie
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and was the franchise's first box-office disappointment, grossing only $123.8 million worldwide against its $70 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 55 · scale: 100 · review count: 33; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- Dave Franco and Justin Theroux recorded their interactions in a single studio to enhance the father-son atmosphere.; Jackie Chan choreographed all of Master Wu's fight scenes in live action before they were recreated in animation.; The film was originally scheduled for a 23 September 2016 release, but that date was given to Storks instead.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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