By Maalik Hawkins
Trinity Times Movie Reviewer
“Piece by Piece” is a biopic about a superstar rapper and it’s told through the lens of Lego animation.
Sound a little weird?
That was my thought going in, but I was intrigued by the storytelling tools, so I held my breath to see what awaited me. I needn’t have worried, because the outcome was 93-minutes of ingenious entertainment and a dazzling learning experience that was music to my ears.
This seemingly bizarre concept of filmmaking tells the story of the multi-talented Pharrell Williams — rapper, singer, songwriter, philanthropist, fashion icon, and musical mastermind. The film was written and directed by Morgan Neville – known for his 2018 documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” about Fred Rogers – and stars Williams himself, who also produced the project.
This biopic is unique in that it tells Pharrell’s life story through the visual medium of Legos. Since the release of “The Lego Movie” in 2014, Lego films have gained popularity, making this choice a clever financial move.
Additionally, Pharrell’s vibrant personality and artistic style are well-suited to this colorful format. His commitment to breaking boundaries makes this concept not only innovative but also highly creative.
The vibrant colors and captivating music immediately grabbed my attention from the opening of the film.
This movie will be a nostalgic experience for anyone who grew up in the first decade of the 21st century, a time period when Pharrell truly dominated the music industry, not just in Hip-Hop, but across all genres.
He was known for writing and providing memorable hooks and melodies.
The music is a dominant force throughout “Piece by Piece,” and Williams even introduces some new tracks for the audience.
I was overjoyed with the filmmaker’s choice to include some of Williams’ more obscure songs — tracks I thought were known to only me, a devoted fan. That really enhanced my experience!
The film is narrated by Pharrell and explores his childhood in Virginia Beach, leading up to his rise as the legendary figure he is today.
It reminded me just how much of a legend he is and how crucial his production and songwriting had been to the music of that era.
The film features numerous guest celebrities who share their experiences with Pharrell and discuss how he helped propel their careers. These guests include Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Pusha T, and Justin Timberlake, among others.
The unique storytelling mode provided its creative background and its ambition to challenge our perceptions of reality enhanced the moviegoing experience.
In a fascinating turn, Williams uses Lego colored bricks to show how he has “synesthesia” when he is being creative with music, and how he sees music.
The definition of synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. For instance, people with synesthesia may experience colors when listening to music, see shapes when smelling certain scents, or perceive tastes when looking at words.
Use of Lego allowed Pharrell to tell his story in a colorful and imaginative way while remaining grounded in a true narrative. Sometimes we need to use our imaginations to truly grasp reality, and that is ok.
I know the film faced some tough competition when it was released, but I still believe it will be successful once it hits streaming.
It was a blast to see in Dolby, and I would love to experience it again, piece by piece.
Everyday Moviegoers – 8.5/10
Critics – 9/10
Cinephiles – 9/10
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Maalik Hawkins is a graduate student at Trinity Washington University