Piece by Piece (2024)

​"Piece by Piece" stars Pharrell Williams, Morgan Neville, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, and Missy Elliott.  Released on October 11, 2024, the film chronicles Pharrell Williams' life and music career through LEGO bricks.

The film was directed by Morgan Neville, known for directing documentaries like "The Cool School", "20 Feet from Stardom", "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", and "They'll Love Me When I'm Dead".  Everyone has a unique sense of creativity and imagination regarding their favorite hobbies, and sometimes, they can lead them to make a massive difference in the world.  Some people may call it weird, but most identify it as unique.  One musician is no exception, as his unique approach to music shapes the way we listen to them as well as the careers of others.  I'm referring to Pharrell Williams, one of the most influential voices in the music industry and Illumination's go-to artist for its kid-friendly catalog.  This latest documentary from Morgan Neville examines how he got to this point in his career, but here's the catch: it's all told through the art of Lego pieces.  You read that right, folks.  The animation style that shaped two of the greatest Lego movies ever has returned to help shape Williams's life story the way he intended to show.  Don't expect Emmet to make a brief appearance, though.  With its unique twist on the genre and a slew of memorable artists, does the film succeed in providing a harmonious experience worth celebrating?  Let's find out.

The story follows Pharrell Williams, a famous singer-songwriter who attends an interview with filmmaker Morgan Neville.  Through the art of Lego pieces, Pharrell tells his story about his life, faith, and the accomplishments that led him to his current position.  Despite being born different, Pharrell's self-acceptance and love for music paved the way for his success and collaborations with artists like Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg.

Here's a thing about my experience with Pharrell Williams.  I hadn't been this exposed to the artist since he started producing music for the "Despicable Me" franchise in 2010.  Sure, he's done other music beforehand, but "Despicable Me" was actually the first time I started recognizing his musical tastes.  While I don't listen to every song that Pharrell has put out, I admire the guy for making the music he wants to make, resulting in some pretty catchy tunes I wouldn't mind listening to often.  When I first heard of a documentary involving Williams, I became intrigued by how it would portray his role in the music industry.  But then, my curiosity skyrocketed when it was announced that it'd be told in Lego animation, which hasn't been used for a theatrical film since "The Lego Movie 2" in 2019.  It's an unusual idea at first, considering how kids react positively to the animation style from "The Lego Movie" franchise, yet are also uninterested in the documentary structure.  But, after watching it myself, it started making much more sense based on Pharrell's creativity.  Does it also result in a compelling documentary/biopic?  Absolutely!

I don't usually review documentaries as much as others because I don't have much to say about them besides the format and my experiences from learning their histories, which made me appreciate specific celebrities even more.  It wasn't until 2018 that I gave it a chance with "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", the Fred Rogers documentary also directed by Neville.  I loved the authenticity and heart it provided in honoring Rogers' legacy, mainly from Neville's direction, which combined compassion, creativity, and factual interest.  It might not be enough to start reviewing documentaries more often, but it did get me excited for Neville's animation debut, "Piece by Piece".  Fortunately, this film was a bit easier to review than "Won't You Be My Neighbor?", although I wouldn't say it's better than that documentary.  

While it does provide the essence of a documentary, it's also displayed in a biographical narrative that depicts Pharrell Williams during the ups and downs of his life without the traditional Hollywood melodrama.  Of course, that doesn't mean it's safe from the conventional narrative elements we've seen in other biopics, especially ones involving the music industry.  It showcased the main character's rise to fame, their downfall due to corporate greed or whatnot, and occasionally the bounce back.  It's a straightforward biopic/documentary that follows the necessities of its narrative and even strays from expanding specific topics further because kids are the target audience, too.  However, it's also elevated by its unique style and mixture of inspiration and entertainment, giving the genre the proper jolt in its musical genes.  More importantly, it's a superbly animated and sublimely music-inducing tribute to the artist who strike a massive chord in the music industry, more so than I previously thought.

Amid its kid-friendly humor, toe-tapping soundtrack, and dazzling visuals, "Piece by Piece" delivered a compelling reflection of the importance of self-belief and faith.  Pharrell grew up being different than everyone else, but his difference propelled him to success, especially in his distinctive musical beats.  Despite being overwhelmed by people telling him what he can and can't do, Pharrell never loses sight of his own faith, knowing that the only way to succeed is to stay true to himself and do what he loves.  This is a great message for kids and even adults to learn whenever they're on similar paths, and it's reflected in a passionate and creative way.  I also really enjoyed how the film understood Pharrell's role in other artists' successful comebacks, including Snoop Dogg, whose first big hit with him helped him change for the better.  It shows that his music helped shape not just the community but also the music artists into who they are today.

There's little to say about the voice cast since it's basically people and artists voicing Lego versions of themselves.  But, I will say that they did a great job adding authenticity to their humane brick-like characters and even having fun with themselves, adding to the film's humor.  Pharrell Williams was superb in providing entertainment and heart into the narration and himself, which benefitted from him being his honest self.  The same goes for the rest of the cast, including Morgan Neville, Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, and even Pusha T, whose career was also affected positively by Pharrell's involvement.

Then, there's the film's animation, Pharrell's ingenious choice in telling his life story, and it shows.  It has an animation style similar to the one from the "Lego Movie" franchise regarding the limited character movements, visual gags, and colorful displays of kaleidoscopic supremacy.  It reflects the essence of what a movie with Lego pieces would look like, minus the live-action parts.  Undoubtedly, it's something we've seen before in the "Lego Movie" installments, but it's also refreshing and fun enough to elevate the vibrancy and narrative creativity of its familiar format.  It worked incredibly well for its storytelling, imaginative musical numbers, and even Neville's vision.  In addition to his usual blend of passion and heart, Neville utilized the style to provide a sense of playfulness in its visualization that's fun for kids and amusingly insightful for adults, especially when they offer PG-rated versions of specific mature topics.  It emphasized Neville's importance of sharing this history for audiences of all ages and having fun with it without losing sight of its impact, emotional or otherwise.

Overall, "Piece by Piece" is a refreshing and visually gorgeous musical extravaganza that celebrates the art of creativity and self-faith through its bricky format.  While its narrative beats offer a similar vibe to the other musical biopics, the film turns its volume to an 11 to deliver a unique and highly entertaining approach to the documentary genre.  It not only revitalizes the Lego animation that's left in pieces for five years, but it also honors the imagination and harmonious soul of Pharrell Williams in an authentic and heartwarming light.  With its stellar voice cast, Morgan Neville's direction, thought-provoking themes, and superb animation, "Piece by Piece" is another rewarding addition to 2024's greatest animation hits.  If you're a fan of Pharrell's music and Lego in general, this piece of musical history is worth listening to.

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