Piece by Piece

Originally published Nov 12, 2024

I’d venture to guess that I wasn’t the only skeptic when Piece by Piece was first announced. I mean, an animated LEGO biopic about Pharrell Williams? Even as a lifelong LEGO collector / enthusiast, this sounded like a pretty weird direction to take. However, I’m thankful to say the final product didn’t disappoint.

Piece by Piece is a distinctive documentary loaded with mesmerizing animation, toe-tapping music, and a surprising dose of heart. Every frame of LEGO animation had me hooked, and the ways this creative decision impacted the comedy and visual storytelling are truly worthy of praise. While I’ve only ever been a casual listener of Pharrell’s music, I have a greater appreciation for him now that I’ve seen the impact he’s had on so many popular songs I’d heard growing up. Additionally, the inclusion of fellow musical artists like Timbaland, Pusha T, Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, & Snoop Dog were surprisingly wholesome, as their contributions suggest that camaraderie can be even be found in an industry as competitive as music. Finally, while Pharrell’s acknowledgment of his friends and family’s impact on his success could come off as cliché to some, I applaud him for dedicating time to doing so.

While I certainly enjoyed the movie, this LEGO set wasn’t without a few faulty bricks. The pacing lagged in the second act, and the emotional shift between certain scenes was occasionally jarring. I also find the film’s PG rating to ultimately be a disservice, as it doesn’t allow for full transparency on some potentially mature subject matters. Finally, the movie’s coverage of Pharrell can appear mildly biased on occasion. 

Despite its shortcomings, I’d still wholly recommend Piece by Piece. Much like Pharrell’s music, it’s weird in theory, but truly captivating and out-of-the-box in execution.

Rating: 7/10