The story seems obvious: A hapless chosen one—an ordinary minifigure named Emmet (Chris Pratt)—is called by destiny to save creation from the villainous, fastidious President Business (Will Ferrell) and his chaos-ending Krazy Glue. Of course Emmet prevails—after a wild ramble, all full of gags and nerd references, that pokes fun at Lego's crossover-laden past. But instead of plodding through like one more cynical big-screen commercial (hi, Transformers!), The Lego Movie manages to weave an enlivening magic spell of nostalgia that's equal parts hysterical, subversive, beautiful, and sweet. (DENIS C. THERIAULT)