More often than not, Hollywood has served as the bridge between various mediums. Taking stories from paper to reel, visualizing them in detail, and showcasing them to a global audience has remained the entertainment industry’s biggest strength.
Additionally, it has also excelled in adapting existing cultures and lore, turning them into mega-franchises like the MCU or Game of Thrones. However, in terms of breathing life into an everyday object, The Lego Movie should take home the prize for its attention to detail and rich world-building.
The 2014 animated flick that kickstarted the saga not only had a star-studded cast, but also a dedicated production team that likely considered Legos more than just building bricks. To prove this point, a backstory behind the design of one beloved character should suffice.
Charlie Day’s character design has a hidden detail
Starring alongside the likes of Chris Pratt and Will Ferrell, Charlie Day voiced Benny aka “The 1980-something space guy” in The Lego Movie. Shown as a master builder obsessed with building spaceships, the character’s design featured a bright blue torso and a classic space logo on his chest along with a jetpack.
Moreover, he also donned a space helmet of the same color, which had a visible crack at the chin strap. Turns out, this last piece of detailing was on purpose and for very good reason.
As pointed out by Allen Tsai on YouTube, the movie tried its best to maintain authenticity. Thus, this crack symbolized the actual Benny Lego pieces from the 1980s, which often developed cracks at that very point of the mold. A cracked plastic helmet hence paid homage to reality and called out to viewers who would have experienced this issue with their own sets.
In other terms, the crack also aligned with Benny’s determination and resilience to push on no matter what. Coupled with the energy brought in by the voice acting of Charlie Day, including the famed catchphrase, “Spaceship!,” these subtle choices added a touch of realism to the movie, and contributed to its success.
The Lego Movie tested all corners to gain perfection
Not long after its release, The Lego Movie earned more than seven times its actual budget of $60 million, as it enjoyed a $468 million run at the global box office. Furthermore, its widespread reception and revenue spawned several sequels, with the latest being 2019’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. However, the road to it was not easy.
Creative decisions similar to that of Charlie Day’s Benny were taken for the whole movie. Despite being CGI, the animation style mimicked that of stop-motion to allow a vintage feel. Moreover, the movements of the characters based themselves on the real-world motion of their actual counterparts.
Finally, tiny details like fingerprints, scratches, mold lines, stickers, and decals made their way into the movie, mirroring real-life pieces. Practical effects, pop culture references, clicking sounds, and references pulled from existing Lego sets, all but ensured that The Lego Movie remained true to the charm people have long associated with it, landing it a universal appeal.
The Lego Movie is available to stream on Netflix.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Benny’s space helmet have a crack in The Lego Movie?
The crack at the chin strap was an intentional design choice. According to YouTube creator Allen Tsai, it mirrors the real 1980s Benny-style “classic spaceman” Lego minifigures, whose helmets frequently developed cracks at that exact point of the mold. The article reports the detail honored that reality, resonated with fans who experienced the same wear-and-tear, and symbolized Benny’s determination and resilience.
Who voices Benny and what is his character in The Lego Movie?
Charlie Day voices Benny, described in the film as “The 1980-something space guy.” Benny is a Master Builder obsessed with constructing spaceships. He sports a bright blue torso with a classic space logo and a jetpack, plus a matching space helmet featuring a visible crack at the chin strap. The 2014 film also starred Chris Pratt as Emmet and Will Ferrell as President Business.
How much did The Lego Movie make at the box office?
Per the article, The Lego Movie earned over $468 million worldwide against a roughly $60 million budget (its actual lifetime gross was about $470.8 million). Released in 2014, its success spawned sequels including 2019’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. The film is currently available to stream on Netflix in the US.
