Reviews are in for Pharrell’s LEGO movie: ‘A gorgeous musical fantasia’
Early reviews for Pharrell Williams’ Piece by Piece argue that the movie helps to make the collaboration between the musician and the LEGO Group make sense.
Having premiered to limited audiences at the Telluride Film Festival ahead of its October 11 theatrical release in the US and November 8 in the UK, reviews for Piece by Piece are starting to appear from the likes of Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. These early critical responses lean more towards the positive, although both observe that the tried-and-tested structure of a biopic about a musician means that it does feel a little predictable.
The true USP of Pharrell Williams’ biopic is, naturally, the fact that it’s animated as LEGO, rather than live-action. THR observes that “using LEGO animations allows a vivid portrait of life in the Atlantis Apartments,” while Deadline comments that the use of LEGO animation means Piece by Piece becomes “not just a biopic, but a gorgeous musical fantasia.”
“Piece by Piece leaves you with hope and a whole bunch of songs you will not be able to get out of your head,” Pete Hammond continues for Deadline. “Is it a documentary? A biopic? An animated movie? A musical? A character study? You bet — and more. Williams and Neville have taken it apart and put it all back together to perfection.”
The collaboration between the LEGO Group and Pharrell Williams might have seemed like an odd choice at first but THR’s Lovia Gyarke argues that the movie helps in understanding the relationship between the musician’s approach to creativity and LEGO.
“Another strength of Piece By Piece is how the LEGO animation enhances our understanding of Williams’ process,” she writes. “It can be challenging to represent creation in a documentary, but here [director Morgan Neville], with the help of editors Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden and Oscar Vazquez, offers dynamic sequences that offer glimpses of how Williams’ mind works.”
Piece by Piece premieres in the US on October 11 and in the UK on November 8. The accompanying LEGO set, 10391 Over the Moon with Pharrell Williams, has been officially revealed ahead of its release on September 20, retailing for £94.99 / $109.99 / €109.99.
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