Mad Max, the film has many pop culture references, callbacks, and cameos that unfortunately can be too easy to miss.
One of the best things about this sequel is all the nods to other cult classics. The difficult part for viewers of this film is that there are so many subtle references to other movies (even some that are targeted for adults). This is all thanks to the frantic and wacky storytelling maintained from the first film. And while the sequel may have underperformed, spotting all the details still made The Lego Movie 2 fun to watch. Here are some of the things viewers might have missed during their first watch of the animated sequel.
We Are... Planty?
Guardians of the Galaxy was an instant hit with audiences, and The Lego Movie 2 gives a subtle nod to one of its most beloved characters, the constantly dancing, plant like, hard to understand but cutest character onscreen, Groot. A Lego look-alike of the classic character makes an appearance in the Lego world.
When flying to save the world from total destruction, Rex tells his Lego friend Planty to “buckle up” in a nod to Chris Pratt's MCU pal Groot who was told to buckle up by Starlord in Guradians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Raptors Named After Movie Icons
Even the characters in The Lego Movie 2 The Second Part are named for very specific reasons. The creators of the film were sure to pay tribute to undeniable adult favorites of years past.
The raptors' names are Ripley, Connor, Rocky, and Cobra. Ripley is a nod to the sci-fi classic Cobra to the films of Sylvester Stallone. Each raptor’s name is a well-thought-out reference to another must-see movie.
Chris Pratt Pays Homage To Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt is undeniably talented no matter what film he is in, and this holds true in The Lego Movie 2 as well. He plays Emmet and Emmet from the future and calls himself Rex Dangervest.
Again, playing on the names of characters like the creators did with the raptors, Rex Dangervest is a nod to the other favorite characters Pratt has played. Rex with all his raptors is referencing Pratt’s role in The Magnificent Seven, as when he introduces himself he mentions he is also a cowboy. He also says he looks out for the Galaxy an almost outright reference to his role as Starlord.
So Many Time Machines
Another catchy little reference The Lego Movie 2 threw in was in homage to the film Hot Tub Time Machine. Creators of the film paid tribute to lots of different time travel devices--including the TARDIS and Delorean-- and one more subtle reference was to the Hot Tub in the comedy flick Hot Tub Time Machine.
One smart way that the directors of The Lego Movie 2--just like the first--drew in older viewers is with subtle references to movies meant for older audiences in a clever and hilarious reference to movies with a time travel theme that are cult classics in their own way, notably Hot Tub Time Machine.
Jokes About Fake News
One doesn’t have to go far in this day and age to see a reference to “Fake News” a la Snopes being one of the first searches to pop up in Google. In yet another humorous nod to adult problems and political issues of the day, The Lego Movie 2 has its own version of fake news.
At the beginning of the film, when the aliens attack, breaking news comes on the screen. One of the funniest headlines reads “Taco Tuesday A Hoax.” What a nightmare if this fake news were true. No more Taco Tuesday’s is a horrific thought.
Wyldestyle Goes Mad Max Furiosa
With all the blatant references to Mad Max in the movie, there was one small detail fans may have overlooked. In the sequel, Wyldstyle is rocking two sets of colors on her hands, one yellow and one black. And this small detail seems to be a nod to Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road.
Furiosa played by Charlize Theron, in the 2015 film rocked one mechanical arm and one normal arm. Placing the two characters side-by-side, it's easy to see this was a shoutout to Furiosa herself.
Raptors In The Background Doing Random Things
As stated before, Rex Dangervest was a tip of the hat to Owen Grady in Jurassic World with his trained raptors. The Lego Movie 2 took the idea of them being trained to the extreme.
In the DVD commentary with producers Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and director Mike Mitchell and animation director Trish Gum they explain when Rex is talking about how to attack the Systar System in the background the raptors can be seen climbing a rock wall, and other stuff as well. It's a fun scene to replay and catch what these creatures are doing behind the characters of Emmet and Rex.
Lex Luthor Locked Up
Utilizing the same clever sense of humor and capitalizing on other popular WB properties of its time is something the filmmakers have always done so well. What better way to continue this theme than bringing in the Justice League? And one villain of these heroes makes an appearance in the background of their introduction.
When Superman, Aquaman, and the rest of the Justice League are being introduced into the film, viewers may forget to pay attention to their aircraft. If they do, they may miss out on another character who makes an appearance. In the background of this Lego universe, Lex Luthor, Superman’s arch-nemesis has found himself in jail.
Where Are My Pants?
One of the things The Lego Movie franchise is known for is putting subtle “inside jokes” in the film. Knowing to watch for them makes The Lego Movie 2 much more enjoyable, even if not all of the jokes are easy to catch.
In the first Lego movie, Emmet is seen rolling around on the couch laughing at a popular show in the Lego world called “Where Are My Pants?” At the end of the second Lego movie, Will Ferrell is heard offscreen calling to his wife, “Honey, where are my pants?” This is an obvious callback to the first film.
Hot Dog Seller Was Named After The Director
With all the subtle references and nods, of course, the director would find a way to make himself a character as well. And that's precisely what happened in the sequel, and if one were to blink, they most certainly would miss it.
Apparently, director Mike Mitchell decided to give himself his own Lego character. At the beginning of the film, when Bricksburg is under attack, there is a hot dog salesman who puts the wieners in his ears to block out the loud noise and his name tag reads “Mike.”
