Netflix Is Missing Out on the LEGO Movie Fans Really Want to Watch

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Stacks upon stacks of bricks – that’s what Netflix seems to be amassing, as they delve deeper into the world of toy-themed films. While they already offer an array of LEGO-centric series such as “LEGO Ninjago” and “LEGO City Adventures”, it appears they are now venturing into LEGO movies. The recently added “The LEGO Movie” from 2014, which is often hailed as one of the greatest animated films by critics like Rolling Stone and Empire, serves as a strong starting point. However, this Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, and Elizabeth Banks-starring movie has cast a long shadow over another LEGO film, “LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers“, which is equally deserving of recognition and should find its way onto Netflix as well.

Remarkably, the name isn’t a witty reference to Indiana Jones or any other action-packed character. Instead, it refers to a term coined by the LEGO group to denote how securely studs and anti-studs on physical components connect. Interestingly, “The Adventures of Clutch Powers”, which was released four years before “The LEGO Movie”, was the inaugural DVD feature from a brick-based franchise. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic. Although “The LEGO Movie” captivates audiences with its diverse franchise crossovers (DC heroes, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, etc.) and fluid animation, “The Adventures of Clutch Powers” is more authentic to the LEGO brand, as it exclusively features characters, settings, and weapons from the toy line.

This LEGO Movie Doesn’t Need Endless Cameos

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my excitement about an upcoming animated film that features rock monsters, skeletons, trolls, and a modern, bustling LEGO City – quite different from what we’ve seen on Netflix recently. Interestingly, a character named Clutch Powers has had as many, if not more, appearances than Emmet Brickowski from “The LEGO Movie.” This enigmatic adventurer is even mentioned in “LEGO Ninjago” and pops up occasionally throughout later seasons of the show.

In this movie, although he’s primarily recognized for his collection of priceless artifacts, the story features him, alongside a firefighter named Brick Masterson, a biologist named Peg Mooring, and an engineer named Bernie von Beam. Together, they embark on a mission to re-capture Malik The Malign, a wicked sorcerer who has broken free from the Space Police’s prison planet. The plot blends elements of science fiction and fantasy.

Regarding the film, it stays faithful to its original LEGO roots. Frequently, characters attempt to construct vehicles or weapons using different Lego blocks, much like kids would. Many of the movie’s jokes are reminiscent of the quirks of real-life toys (Bernie can lose his legs without getting hurt, and studs stick randomly to various characters who can’t shake them off).

Unlike the 2014 movie adaptation that often borrows humor and memorable scenes from other theater franchises, Clutch Powers harks back to a period when LEGO was centered around the originality of the toy instead of relying on anything else. The way the main character’s team struggles to quickly construct something necessary for their objective, brings back memories of the enjoyable times we spent playing with LEGO ourselves in the past.

‘Clutch Powers’ Is a Timeless LEGO Movie

Despite being a straight-to-DVD release in the U.S., but having a theatrical release in South Korea, “Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers” is a hidden gem that you shouldn’t miss! This 82-minute action comedy boasts an impressive voice cast that will leave you pleasantly surprised. The characters Clutch and Peg are voiced by Ryan McPartlin and Yvonne Strahovski, both familiar faces from the NBC spy drama “Chuck.” Meanwhile, Roger Rose and Jeff Bennett, two veterans in the cartoon voice acting world, lend their voices to Brick and Bernie.

These two characters are familiar from classic Cartoon Network series such as Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, and Dexter’s Laboratory (to name just a few). Kjeld Playwell, who is Clutch’s superior, is portrayed by Paul Michael Glaser. Interestingly, Glaser gained fame in the original 1970s series Starsky and Hutch, as well as appearing in the 1971 film Fiddler on the Roof.

In different Hollywood circles, the creators of the first LEGO film might have originated, yet this diversity gives every character a unique identity. The debut cinematic adventure into the LEGO universe received a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews from as recent as last year. Remarkably, YouTube videos analyzing the main character’s legendary roots are still being produced, with the latest one published just five months ago.

Despite not being as polished and stylish as the 2014 version envisioned by Warner Bros, the Universal-released film that preceded it deserves recognition from Netflix or anyone. At this moment, The Internet Archive is offering a free stream of Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Powers.

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2025-05-06 06:02