5 Things Families Can Talk About After "The Lego Batman Movie"

By Betsy Bozdech, Common Sense Media

Smart, funny, and fast-paced, this second big-screen Lego movie shows that the first one wasn't a fluke: The folks behind this franchise definitely know what they're doing. The Lego Batman Movie is a little darker and edgier than its predecessor -- there are tons of bad guys, battles, explosions, bombs, weapons, destruction, and general mayhem, and the main characters are constantly in peril. But it also has strong, clear messages about the importance of teamwork and humility -- which means there's plenty for families to talk about. Try these discussion questions for kids:

• Talk about the violence and action in the movie. Is it less scary because all the people and buildings are made out of Legos? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

• How does the Batman in the Lego movies compare with other versions of Batman you've seen in movies and/or on TV shows? Why do you think Batman is usually portrayed as so serious and angry? Is he a role model?

• How does Batman learn the importance of teamwork and humility? Why are those important character strengths?

• The Joker is definitely a villain, but it's clear that we're also supposed to sympathize with his frustration and hurt feelings regarding his relationship with Batman. Is it OK to feel sorry for a bad guy? How did you feel about him in the end?

• How do the Lego movies stack up with other toy-based franchises, such as the Barbie or Transformers films? Does watching them make you want to get the Lego characters in the movie?