“Piece by piece, we can build something extraordinary.”

Story: This LEGO documentary (LEGOmentary?) looks at the life of Pharrell Williams, from his childhood in Virginia Beach, to his super-stardom. And a whole lot of bumps along the way, LEGO and real-life.

Genre I’d put it in: Fun, Feel Good Animated Biopics
Release Date: 2024
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the life of Pharrell Williams

Gotta say: Hey. Did know that Pharrell Williams wrote the “da da da dat DA – I’m lovin’ it!” jingle for McDonalds? Of course you did; y’all are cool like that. As for me, Piece was one big moment of “oh wow – Williams worked on this? This too? And also this again?” Over and over again. And I’ve never had so much fun being schooled.

Piece is a film I enjoyed from beginning to end. There wasn’t a second I wasn’t absolutely entranced, and that’s unusual for me. Heck, hating things is my job…oh, I’ve said too much. *MIB flash* The mix of pure honesty from Williams, beautiful stop-motion LEGO artwork, and a story that feels vaguely familiar, but has more than enough behind-the-scenes info to make it brand new, kept my eyes glued to the screen. Bonus? C’mon, y’all wanna see what Snoop looks like in LEGO form, right? Obviously.

For folks who don’t know much about the music business – yours truly included – Piece works not only as a biopic, but as a mini master-class in how tunes get made, and how performers make ’em. Interviews with performers and creators Williams has or continues to work with give their viewpoints, and it’s fun to hear both sides. Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar, and of course Snoop, are just a small taste of the big names you’ll hear, and see LEGO-fied. Oh, and the film’s tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of these folks being grown-ass adults figures into a “PG-Spray” that humorously tones things down, literally and figuratively, when a particular story threatens to get a little blue. That said, there are LEGO re-creations of a few famous videos – which I will not spoil here – which are humorous, and kinda racy.

Speaking of those wee bricks, the look of this film is absolutely stunning. While I expected nothing less from the folks who brought us The LEGO Movie, it feels as if the animation has gotten even better over the years. And yeah, the marketing aspect isn’t exactly a surprise – I want those glitter LEGOs, dagnabit – though the real fun will be seeing LEGO builders go nuts over re-creating these fun builds. Even the sound work is top-notch, with “ceramic” mugs clinking on tabletops, “champagne” pouring, and the like. But my favorite thing was how Piece visualizes Williams’ synesthesia; the ability to “see colors” when hearing music. The film has Williams creating glowing bricks pulsing with bright colors as he creates beats, or has his LEGO self be surrounded with colorful LEGO shapes when listening to music. A scene where a young Williams listens to Stevie Wonder had me grinning from ear to ear; it’s a beautiful, adorable, and fun way to visually describe what he feels.

Pieces didn’t have to go deep with Williams’ highs and lows, but opening up and showing us his bouts of egotism, indifference, and confusion make his wins all the sweeter. Director/interviewer Morgan Neville talks with Williams’ parents, wife, and longtime friends, building a life story that feels believable while delivering fun anecdotes. Be warned though; you will want McNuggets during this film. All I’m saying.

What can I say? Pieces made me smile. As award season gears up, it was nice to just sit in a theater and have fun wash over me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find my old LEGO sets.

#Protip: Yes, that hat gets the LEGO treatment, and oh man how I want one.