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Pardon my brief rant: what is this endless fascination with all things Lego?! For those of you still blissfully unaware of this silliness, I’m referring to a phenomenon in which amateur video-makers (and sometimes even professional ones) recreate scenes from their favorite movies using Lego characters. (These are technically known as “brickfilms,” and created with stop-motion animation.) It’s caught on to such a degree that there are even video games for popular franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones that feature Lego characters. Which I find totally baffling, as there are few things less expressive of emotion than a tiny piece of plastic (though I suppose the films being re-created in Lego aren’t that emotion-filled anyway).
In any case, I continue to be amazed at the breadth of work that’s been produced for the “Lego-movie” genre, and by that measurement alone, the phenom seems flossably notable. So take note!
Lego “Thriller”
Too soon? Nah — this was uploaded three years ago.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Rawk!
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
“Camelot!” “It’s only a model.” Indeed.
Star Wars – Darth Vader Song
Lego Vader conducts an orchestra of Storm Troopers. Except instead of actual Legos, this is a slicky-produced 3D animation of Legos — what’s the point?! It’s like naming your website “1800flowers.com.” Is it a website or an 800 number? Is it a Lego movie or a 3D animation? Choose, dangit!
“The Simpsons” intro
A 13-year-old kid made this. Not bad!
Lego Man applies for a construction job
This is pretty cute. Is Lego Man technically disabled?
Grease – “Summer Nights”
Indiana Jones
This is pretty well-done, actually.
The Magic Portal
Widely considered to be the first “brickfilm” ever made, it was created by Lindsay Fleay in Perth, Western Australia, around 1985. And it’s pretty good!
You can find more of my incoherent ranting on Twitter.
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If you like Eddie Izzard, you’ll love these:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Thorn2200
posted by Kary S on 7-1-2009 at 12:07 pm
Silly though they may be – that Indiana Jones ending had me rolling
And of course, I can never get enough Monty Python
posted by Hastings on 7-1-2009 at 12:46 pm
The Star Wars video is what’s called “machinima”– like the “Red vs. Blue” videos that use Halo characters in movies. This particular video is using the 3D engine and API from the Lego Star Wars video game series. But I see your point.
posted by Joel on 7-1-2009 at 1:11 pm
The Holy Grail one actually was an extra on the special edition DVD. I remember purchasing the DVD, watching that, going to the Spite Your Face website (makers of the Lego film), and watching each of their videos…in dial-up.
posted by Amauriel on 7-1-2009 at 1:19 pm
“The Star Wars video is what’s called “machinima”– like the “Red vs. Blue” videos that use Halo characters in movies. This particular video is using the 3D engine and API from the Lego Star Wars video game series. But I see your point.
posted by Joel on 7-1-2009 at 1:11 pm”
You’re wrong actually. The Star Wars orchestra was made for the end credits of “Revenge of the Brick” which the LEGO Group had Treehouse animate.
I make Brickfilms myself as well, visit my website! Most animations on there were made a long time ago but there are some newer better ones.
And wait, there’s more! You can’t forget Leftfield studios! http://www.leftfieldstudios.com/
posted by Luke on 7-1-2009 at 5:22 pm
Have to admit, I don’t see the appeal of Lego movies even though it takes a lot of patience and talent. Just not my thing.
Now I am rather fond of Python Trek -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QSaM5gQ9vo
posted by Jami on 7-15-2009 at 10:11 am