The Secret World of Lego

The Secret World of Lego, released in 2015 and directed by Christian Tumble, brings an intriguing insight into the exclusive and normally inaccessible world of Lego – the globally adored and multifaceted toy brand. This 47-minute long documentary TV film provides a captivating exploration of the brand's philosophy, corporate culture, innovative methods, and the individuals that bring Lego’s enchanting brickscape to life.

In this enthralling journey, the viewers are introduced to the luminaries behind the joy-inducing small bricked creations. These include Matthew Ashton, a Vice President of Design at the Lego group and an executive producer on The Lego Movie as well as Justin Ramsden – a young prodigy who from being an avid fanboy of Lego turned into a professional Lego designer. Narrated by acclaimed actor Hugh Bonneville of "Downton Abbey" fame, the film navigates the viewer through a meticulous tour of the creative and operational processes practicing within the Lego organization.

The documentary offers a rare opportunity to peek behind the scenes of Lego's headquarters in Billund, Denmark - a place that otherwise welcomes very few outsiders. Divulging snippets from the various stages of Lego product life-cycle like ideation, testing, marketing, and distribution, this feature almost seems like a love letter to the mesmerizing world of Lego, simultaneously presenting a revealing glimpse into the rigorous work put forth by its passionate creators.

The movie also luxuriates in sharing the creative spirit ingrained within Lego. In one segment, it nostalgically showcases an in-house competition: the 'Future Lab'. During this contest, Lego's most ingenious designers are treated to a 24-hour window in which they must mold an original and groundbreaking idea. If successful, these ideas could potentially be transformed into a real product. This competition not only showcases the brilliance of Lego’s designers but also demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and risk-taking.

In another segment, the documentary digs into the compelling narrative of a young British lad named Tom Poulsom. Tom is an enthusiastic fan and amateur designer who created intricate bird-themed Lego sets. Deeply moved by his creations, Tom submitted them to Lego's Ideas website. This platform allows the Lego fandom community to submit their own models, which offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Tom's creations to be selected for production-and-sale as an official Lego set.

An inspiring part of the documentary is the way it articulates Lego's fun yet creative ethos. It showcases Lego's ethos through their multifarious array of offerings, from the brand's range of intricate world architecture miniatures to the comical and delightful designs of the Minifigures. This diversity also renders a subtle nod towards the brand's mission of appealing to a broad, universal audience, carefully bridging the gap between entertainment and education.

In a particularly amusing sequence, the documentary also delves into the intricate details of creating a Lego Minifigure. The viewer gets to witness the care and level of design involved in breathing life into a Minifigure, right from its small, round, and yellow head to its painted faces and joined hands. This serves as an inspiring reminder of the continuous dedication, passion and eye for detail that goes into creating toys which have generously spread enchantment across generations.

The Secret World of Lego, while being a joyful and delightful film to watch, does not shy away from reflecting on Lego's past hardships, thus bringing an in-depth authenticity to the storytelling process. It mentions the brand's troubles faced in the early 2000s, offering a prudent lesson for businesses on the importance of staying true to what they excel at.

The film concludes on an inspiring note, leaving viewers with a sense of respect and admiration for the brand that personifies joy, imagination, and innovation. It truly is a must-watch for any enthusiast interested in the power of design and creativity, or simply those with a warm affection for Lego products. So, sit back and prepare to dive headlong into the insightful and fascinating Secret World of Lego.