Parents' Guide to A Lego Brickumentary

This documentary is interesting without being particularly fascinating -- it's part corporate pep rally for Lego and part social commentary on why the toys are so enduringly popular. There's an undeniable interest in the Lego company (which was founded in Billund, Denmark); not only is it to Denmark what IKEA is to Sweden, but it's a worldwide symbol of childhood creativity and imagination. The Lego system -- as explained in the documentary but already understood by anyone who's over opened a yellow box of bricks -- is addictive to children and adults alike.

A Lego Brickumentary capitalizes on Legos' beloved status by interviewing interesting members of the company's international collection of architects, designers, engineers, and master builders, as well as a host of superfans around the world. Everyone spends most of their time gushing about Lego -- even singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran (the video for his song "Lego House" features custom Lego pieces), South Park creator Trey Parker, and NBA player Dwight Howard wax poetic about how coming into money in their respective careers allowed them to accumulate hundreds of Lego kits (and, in Howard's case, a commissioned bust of him made out of Lego bricks). A mathematician and an artist also feature prominently, showing how Legos can be used as far more than as toys. And, of course, there's a short interview with the directors of The Lego Movie. The AFOLs (as Adult Fans of Lego are known) are slightly less fleshed out because the film doesn't delve deep enough into their subculture. Bottom line? This is an enjoyable if occasionally unfocused documentary about the power of the Lego brand/system.