Movie review: The Lego Movie

If there is one movie you should see over the Easter school holidays, The Lego Movie is it.

I have to admit I was sceptical as I lined up outside the cinema with Miss E (who is three), all hyped up and hopping from foot to foot and occasionally straying into the path of  oncoming patrons. I heard a lot of good things about The Lego Movie, and I really hoped I made the right choice for Miss E’s cinema debut. I was worried all the funny bits were in the trailers and there would be nothing fresh to get me and Miss E through the next hour and half. I was worried there would be a meltdown when our supply of cardboard flavoured popcorn ran out. I shouldn’t have worried. The Lego Movie had us captivated from the opening scene…

And then Everything was Awesome!

The Lego Movie was a non-stop action adventure, with plenty of humour for all ages and some touching moments couched nicely in between. Self-referential, zany (Unikitty and Cloud Cuckoo Land especially) and surprising, The Lego Movie also managed to pose a few moral and philosophical questions along the way. This movie got better the longer it went on – which is rare for the family genre. I actually felt disappointed that it was over when the credits started to roll.

There was little to fault, although I found some of the early action scenes a little too fast paced to follow easily (“hang on – wait – what’s happening now?”), but to be fair I tend to have this problem with action scenes in most movies. Except Jackie Chan movies, for some reason I can follow those highly choreographed manoeuvres quite easily.

 A lot of the humour went straight over Miss E’s head, and she did  get a little twitchy half way through – but for a three year old I think that’s standard. Whilst Miss E loved the movie and the experience, The Lego Movie lends itself to a slightly older audience, five and up as a general guide. The pace and scale of the action is suited to the big screen, and the cinema experience in general.

 

The Lego Movie is a family movie must see. $9.90 movie tickets are currently being offered at Hoyts Erina for a limited time – take advantage if you can, and maybe phone ahead to confirm pricing (no expiry date on the offer was available at this time) if you are not booking online.

The Lego Movie 

Mum’s rating 4.5 out of 5

Kids rating 5 out of 5

 

 

Behold! Rainy day outings on the Coast that won’t break the bank

On rainy days, with three kids to entertain, there is only so much craft,
cooking and colouring I can take. Sometimes all it takes to break the monotony of a couple of hours – or
days – of unrelenting rain, is a cheap and cheerful outing everyone can enjoy. Behold! Rainy day outings on the Coast
that won’t break the bank:

Gosford Regional Art Gallery
Entry fee is a gold coin donation, exhibits are updated regularly, and if you catch a break in
the rain, you can enjoy the tranquil surrounds of the co-located Edogawa Commemorative Garden. Check with gallery before you head off, occasionally it’s closed to update exhibits.
Bonus – inspired by art, your kids might go home with just enough creative spark to fuel those arts and craft
activities for a few more rainy days.
Plus, pre schoolers critiquing watercolours are just adorable!

http://www.gosfordregionalgallery.com/

Kincumber Indoor Sports/Playtime
Usually I would recommend staying far, far away from any children’s indoor play centre during wet weather. I mean really, kids fighting over ball pits, hassled parents jostling for tables, shrieks of “He hit me!”. Might as well be at home where at least you don’t have to battle a crowd and you only have to referee your own kids fights. Kincumber Indoor Sport/Playtime is worth it on a rainy day, especially for parents who need to entertain across a wide range of ages. Older kids can put themselves to the test with indoor rock climbing (my eldest LOVES this)
and while they’re busy conquering indoor Everest, the little ones are in their element over at Playtime, an indoor play
centre with everything from jumping castles to ball pits and ride on cars. With plenty of room to move and loads of play items,
everyone has a great time. I can get away with a trip to Kincumber Indoor
Sport/Playtime with my three kids for under $30 – well worth it to break their rainy day boredom and soothe my embattled nerves.

http://www.kincumberindoorsports.com.au/kincumber-indoor-sports/home.do

The Art Barn – Gosford
Most kids of the 80’s and 90’s will have at least one memory of painting a figurine at the “plaster fun house”. At the Art Barn in Gosford, kids of all ages can indulge their creative side. Suitable for a wide range of ages, even my one year old is able to participate – in between taste testing the various paints (hmmm – blue tastes good but glitter is gritty…), and each child works at their own skill level. Light snacks are available and reasonably priced. Bonus, the kids will have a work of art they can proudly display and present for show and tell.

The Art Barn – 11 Kirawee Road Gosford. Ph (02) 4324 7965

Peninsula Leisure Centre Pool
It’s great weather for ducks, so if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! The beach may not be an option during a downpour, but Peninsula Leisure Centre is! With a kids fun pool and, slide and 8 lane Olympic pool, there is something for everyone and at a very reasonable price – a casual swim for adults is $6.20 or $4.30 for a concession, and just $3.50 for kids. Call ahead or check the website for pool opening hours.

http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/leisure_centres/plc-main/pool

Or you could head to one of the major shopping centres, fight for parking
with the thousands of other coasties who have the same idea, lose your three old in the crowds
and fight with your tween over a pair of shoes she is most definitely NOT getting. At least everyone gets home
exhausted and ready for a nap!