Regulation

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) certify and regulate British films.

Why are films regulated by certification?
All films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate, along with "consumer advice" detailing references to sex, violence and coarse language. If a certificate specifies that a film or video game is only suitable for someone over a certain age, then only those over that age may buy it.

What is the certificate for the lego movie?
The certificate for the lego movie is 'U'

Why is this?
because there is very mild violence is the form of lego and there is nothing unsuitable for children aged 4 years and over.

Symbol	Name	Definition	Guidelines
	Universal	All ages admitted. There is nothing unsuitable for children aged 4 years and over, but parents may wish to check before allowing a very young child to view the film.	May contain infrequent very mild language. May contain very mild sex references and mild violence, if justified by the context. Until 2009, there was also a UC "Universal Children" certificate, for videos that are particularly suitable for young children.
	Parental Guidance	All ages admitted, but some certain scenes can be unsuitable for young children. They should not disturb children aged 8 or older, but parents should check before allowing a younger child to view the film.	May contain mild language (frequent/aggressive use may result in the work being passed at a higher category) or sex/drug references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy).
	12A	This category was introduced in 2002, and applies only to cinema releases. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for young children. Cinemas in the United Kingdom are only permitted to supply tickets to see a 12A film to children under the age of 12 if they are accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.	May contain adolescent themes, discrimination, soft drugs, moderate language, moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Use of strong language may be permitted based on frequency and how they are used, as well as contextual justification. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.
	12	This category applies to cinema releases from August 1989 to 2002, and home media since 1994. Suitable for people aged 12 and older. It is illegal to supply a video work with a 12 certificate to anyone under that age. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating.
	15	Suitable only for people aged 15 and older. No one younger than 15 may be admitted to a 15 film in a cinema. It is illegal to supply a video work with a 15 certificate to anyone under that age.	May contain mature themes, hard drugs, (frequent) strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context. Use of very strong language may be permitted based on frequency and how they are used, as well as contextual justification.
	18	Suitable only for people aged 18 or older, No one younger than 18 may be admitted to an 18 film in a cinema. It is illegal to supply a video work with an 18 certificate to anyone under that age.	Films under this category do not have limitation on the foul language that is used. Portrayals of illegal drug misuse are generally allowed, and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context (Sex works cannot be placed at "18"). Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticized or excessively graphic, in which a work will require compulsory cuts where possible.
	Restricted 18	Can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shops. Not to be supplied to anyone below the age of 18, and it is illegal to supply a film with this rating by mail order.	Works under this category always contain hard-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing. There remains a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating: strong images of injury in BDSM or spanking works, urolagnia, scenes suggesting incest even if staged, references to underage sex or childhood sexual development and aggressive behavior such as hair-pulling or spitting on a performer are not permitted. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.[40]

Interesting facts about 'The Lego Movie':

1)There are 3,863,484 unique lego bricks

2)Morgan Freedmans first animated voice over

3)There are a ton of references to the matrix

• The Lego Movie illustrated the concept or tent-pole film production. Tent-pole = A major motion picture which is expected to generate major income for a studio. This can be redistributed an used to support snd fund other releases. This tent-pole supports the whole tent.

• The film is a production form a major, global studio. It illustrates its conglomerates, in this case Warner Bros.

• Its success was of major importance to the studio in terms of funding each others projects - such as merchandise, other films with Dan Lin (producer)

• The film is also an example of how a global studio, Warner Bros, releases a film in a specific national territory, the UK.

• There are questions of ownership and purpose of the film e.g. tension between Lego and Warner Bros bothering the film to promote their own products through the use o iconic characters e.g. Batman, Superman and numerous Lego toy models 

A lot of the film is influenced by the fans and their creations