The Piece Of Resistance in The Lego Movie
Perhaps the greatest modern example of that same comedic use of the MacGuffin can be found in The Lego Movie – which features the desperate attempts of a group of Lego figures to find the mythological ‘Piece Of Resistance.’ The ‘Piece Of Resistance’ is a magical object that the wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) prophesizes will save the universe, after Lord Business (Will Ferrell) steals a weapon of mass destruction named the ‘Kragle.’ Whoever finds the ‘Piece Of Resistance’ is the one that will save everyone, so Vitruvius declares.
The MacGuffin – the ‘Piece Of Resistance’ – then becomes the object that motivates its finder – Emmet (Chris Pratt) – to believe in himself and his ability to do the right thing outside of the instruction booklet. It also motivates a host of other characters – including Vitruvius, Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett), Metal Beard (Nick Offerman), Princess Unikitty (Alison Brie) and Benny (Charlie Day) – to unify as a team and work toward the same goal.
As with One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing, one of the greatest laughs of The Lego Movie comes when the true nature of the ‘Piece Of Resistance’ – and, by default, the ‘Kragle’ – is revealed. However, in making this reveal, writing-directing team Phil Lord and Christopher Miller place The Lego Movie firmly in the George Lucas camp of MacGuffin attitudes – because here, the ‘Piece Of Resistance’ truly is everything, and that is awesome.
Published: Apr 13, 2015 09:06 am