LEGO Hero Factory: Savage Planet

Review

Common Sense Media says

Animated LEGOs battle evil to save the planet and sell toys.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this direct-to-DVD release is another entry in the LEGO series of action-packed, animated tales designed to showcase robotic toys and superhero figures for young consumers. There are many battles scenes (some of which feel a lot like video game sequences) with villains exhibiting various built-in weapons: sharp teeth, fangs, claws, and sabers. The Heroes fight their enemies in lengthy hand-to-hand combat scenes which serve the usual "evil mastermind wants to take over the world" plot. Professor Aldous Witch has glowing red eyes and a dastardly cackle. There's an attempt to provide some positive lessons about teamwork and responsibility along with the action.

  • Educational value1
    Brief references to the possibility of animal extinction and to protection of natural resources (mining is prohibited on Planet Quatros to assure the survival of the planet and its inhabitants).
  • Positive messages2
    Amidst the battles and jeopardy are clearly stated messages: A hero's duty is to help those in need. While a little competition is healthy, true leadership calls for teamwork.
  • Positive role models2
    All members of the Heroes team are portrayed as unselfish, brave, resourceful, and loyal. The villains are power-hungry, unrepentant, and cruel. There are no female characters.
  • Violence & scariness3
    Cartoon action from start to finish. Robotic characters display various powers and built-in weaponry, including fangs, claws, and spikes. The villains, other than the evil professor who's the mastermind of the plot, are in the form of animals: dogs, birds, and a particularly stubborn and nasty scorpion. All engage the Heroes in hand-to-hand combat. Sparks fly; robots are zapped, chased, fall, and come back for more.
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What's the story?

Rookie Hero Rocka is in trouble on the beautiful Planet Quatros. The evil Aldous Witch is destroying Quatros and the protected animals who live there as he attempts to take control of "quaza," an essential and valuable mineral at the planet's core. Without quaza, the Heroes' entire world is threatened. Members of the team are sent to rescue Rocka and save the day. They encounter Aldous and a series of frightening animal creatures who are under his spell and have been ordered to defend their master and his nefarious plan.

Is it any good?

 

Somewhere amid the barrage of battles, attacks, and derring-do, there's a thin story and an even thinner attempt to draw distinctive personalities. It's hard to tell the Heroes apart, except for their color or dialect. Even their special skills are difficult to define, though each is supposed to embody the qualities of a mighty animal (bear, eagle, wolf).

 

The movie finds an easy rhythm: Hero is attacked; Hero defends himself (and they are all male); Hero defeats the fanged, clawed, or spiked creature that threatens him. And all the while, the big baddie laughs his hideous laugh, his eyes aglow with piercing red embers. It's not original; it's not clever or funny, but for kids who like their superheroes dashing, strong, and unstoppable, it's probably enough.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about cartoon violence. Kids: When did you learn the difference between fake and real violence? How do they affect you differently?

  • Did watching this movie make you want to buy some of the action figures from LEGO? How can parents and kids decide together when or if that's a good idea?

  • Are you aware of efforts to help our planet and save animals who might be in danger here? What can you do to help?

This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
Kid, 11 years old
December 31, 2011
AGE
6
 
Herofactory: We build boring
Personally, I am really disappointed. It has a really boring story plot, with really babyish lines. The whole story is completely predictable, with really pathetic and boring jokes that only babies would laugh at. Personally, this is the worst movie ever in LEGO history. And look at the comments! No wonder no one has reviewed this movie yet, it's too horrible they don't even bother to review. I think this gets a 2 star (Not 1) only because of it's fancy toys.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 26, 2012
AGE
2
 
who cares about consumerism?
this is better than the origanal but still needs improvement. P.S.: CSM unlike the movie you did not improve, your reviews stink you have no common sense.
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This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
Topics:superheroes
Studio:Warner Home Video
Director:Mark Baldo
Cast:Henry Winkler, John Schneider, Malcolm McDowell
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:45 minutes
DVD release date:October 4, 2011
MPAA rating:NR
This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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