Brick Films

Before I get to the films, let me list the criteria I used in judging them.

1. The bulk of the animation had to be true stop motion animation. If digital CGI animation was used it was limited to animating the mouths/facial expressions and transition effects.


2. Quality of the film. Films that were out of focus, too grainy, or too shaky were, for the most part, marked off the list.


3. Films that were recreations but substituted the original source audio for new recordings were eliminated. For example, there are a ton of Batman brick films in which the filmmakers recorded their own dialogue. I don't want to listen to some kid dubbing The Joker's lines.


4. Finally, they had to be a film I would want to watch over again and pass on to others.

Now on to the LGI (Lego Generated Imagery as Kyle named it last week). Let's start with the honorable mentions.

The Three Stooges Lego Parody

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSInKzy_54Q

I thought the animation was solid in this and I gave it extra points for attempting the subject.

Lego Indiana Jones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egPgU5kAjKE

The video quality itself is a bit grainy and blurry; but, the stop motion animation is solid and I enjoyed the twist in the story.

Lego Les Miserables - One Day More

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4qgp_c32B4

Overall, a little too static and it would really benefit from some CGI animation to the mouths. Yet, it still carries and serves the song well.

Grease - Summer Nights Lego Stop Motion Animation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whyjdt5Qso

Like the Les Mis video, CGI mouths would have kicked this one up a notch. There's more energy in this video and the song itself is a classic.

Now, on to the best of the best.

I Walk The Line

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RFz53eQeqE

Easily recognizable as the "man in black". Solid animation and fun to watch. I'm just not crazy about the clay instruments.

Monster Mash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkKKzTYIe3Q

Excellent animation, Overall, this is extremely well done brick film and perfect for this time of year.

Lego Ramones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQdURH-HlUA

While not as slick and smooth as the Monster Mash video, it captures the energy of the Ramones. Great video.

LEGO Beatles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xUijgqZ-xM

This video is so much fun. Really well done with a brilliant twist mid-way through. Great energy and animation in the band. Notice on close ups how the action in the background stays rhythm. There are a number of other Beatles brick films, but this is by far the best of the ones I found.

Lego Beer Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATBl4qH9I54

Is BEER not the greatest four letter word in our language? The only thing that would make this video better is a cold one in hand while watching it.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Lego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIXByCAIzos

Great scene+great animation= the second best video on the list (and third best Brick Film behind The Lego Ultimatum mentioned earlier and the next video).

And now my pick for the best Brick Film on the internet...

Eddie Izzard- Death Star Canteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv5iEK-IEzw

I have watched and forwarded this video countless times. It makes me laugh every time. If you enjoyed this one, check out YouTube. There are many more Eddie Izzard inspired brick films available.

That completes my Best-o-Brick Films list. I'm curious to know what you think. Do you agree with my picks? Know of better ones? Please let us all know.

-Darth Duff

PS: The Lego Dr. Manhattan Watchmen image I used at the opening was cool I had to share it with you. We can only hope someone will do a cool Watchmen brick film one day.