Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Brickumentary 2014

Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: The documentary is so relentlessly upbeat and told with such cheerleading verve, the style and tone detract from the undeniably interesting material. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Narrator Jason Bateman, voicing an animated yellow mini-figure, visits various camps who worship at the altar of the interlocking plastic brick. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: The film exhibits an oddly promotional tone that might rub audiences wrong if it were hyping any another product. Read more

Jesse Hassenger, AV Club: Brickumentary has plenty to temporarily divert Lego fans, but little to distinguish itself from the kind of primer profiles that used to run on TV newsmagazines. Read more

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic: A good movie probably could make us marvel at such trivia, but this seems like a LEGO movie designed for kids and AFOLs, or Adult Fans of LEGO, as they call themselves. Read more

Tom Russo, Boston Globe: There's a bright curiosity to the movie that's anything but dry, and the creativity on display is as entertaining and inherently colorful as you'd hope. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: I'm sure the [LEGO] board of directors loved this. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: True, "A LEGO Brickumentary" is a barely disguised hour-and-a-half commercial. But as hour-and-a-half commercials go, it's somewhat interesting. Read more

John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: Chipper and fun if occasionally superficial, the doc finds its subject too large to address in a way that satisfies the most curious outsider or devoted fan. Everyone else will have a good time, though. Read more

Michael Rechtshaffen, Los Angeles Times: A colorfully constructed film surveying the vastness of the Lego universe that can't help but come across as corporate horn-tooting. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: A commercial for Legos. Read more

Jordan Hoffman, New York Daily News: As a movie, it can be as annoying as stepping on a stray LEGO brick with your socks off. Read more

Andy Webster, New York Times: "A Lego Brickumentary" might be a resounding cheer for a brand, but it's an eye-opener, too. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: Although it often feels like a company-bankrolled promo film, A Lego Brickumentary answers all the questions both Lego novices and Lego nerds would want to know. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: "A LEGO Brickumentary" is great fun, for AFOLs (Adult Fan of LEGO) or otherwise. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Even the interesting parts of "A Lego Brickumentary" aren't that interesting, but are rather more like the best thing you might hear while being cornered by the most boring person at a party. Read more

Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail: Documentary? Please. This glorified infomercial from directors Kief Davidson and Daniel Junge is indoctrination. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: There's a huge world beyond store shelves as Brickumentary explores master builders, artists and creative minds that ensure you'll never look at these little pieces of plastic the same way. Read more

Simon Abrams, Village Voice: A largely genial but frequently wearying feature-length toy ad. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: Overall the movie is a fun peek at the birth of Lego bricks and their ever-evolving place in the world. Read more