The LEGO Movie

Phil Lord and Chris Miller have made a name for themselves by transforming dubious prospects for film adaptations (21 and 22 Jump Street; Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) into genuinely inspired, very funny plays on formula. The LEGO Movie is the poster child for their brand of cinematic mischief. The antithesis of the cutesy nostalgia of video game mashup Wreck-It Ralph, there's a grand point being made with the film's pop culture world-blending (see a pompous LEGO Batman meeting C-3PO, Milhouse and Abe Lincoln).

Lord and Miller turn what's seemingly just a product placement movie into a manic comedy about social engineering and the compromises of a healthy creative community, and infuse a 'chosen one' story with the same sense of possibility that makes those little blocks appealing to children in the first place. Somehow their overload of ideas and hilarious jokes doesn't fall apart, leaving a jovial, clever delight for all ages.