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Disney live-action remakes, and sequels like Toy Story 3 prove that nostalgia is currently big business in making movies. Playmobil: The Movie fits right into that category, but does it have what it takes to be more than just a nice reminder?

Playmobil: The Movie follows high school graduate, Marla (Anya Taylor-Joy), who once dreamed of great adventures around the world, but is now crumbling under the responsibility of taking care of her little brother Charlie (Gabriel Bateman). When Charlie goes missing, Marla has to go and look for him in a universe that she never knew existed.

Just like The Lego Movie, Playmobil: The Movie is based on a brand for toys, but this feature is not nearly as funny, cohesive, or entertaining as the first.

The film’s basic plot of a sister looking for her brother is simple enough, but other than that, the rest is pretty hectic; firstly, the film explains nothing about the Playmobil world, where Vikings, pirates, spies, and more, are all randomly mashed together with no explanation as to why. Secondly, Marla seems to be going from one place to another, meeting new characters with barely any significance to the plot but to introduce the variety of toys Playmobil produces.

This mess of a plot clearly reveals that the film was just created as an advertisement for the toys, a thing that audiences probably already know, but the fact that it is so obvious takes away from its purpose rather than adding to it.

Playmobil: The Movie has some rare comedic moments that work; many from secret agent Rex Dasher (Daniel Radcliffe), whose role is too short for one of the most enjoyable characters in the film.

As for Marla, the audience do not get to see her character and how she overcame the tragedy she faced at the beginning of the film, or where the change of her attitude comes from. Instead, one minute she is just looking for her brother, the next she has saved him and changed the way she views the world, as if a button was pushed.

For the acting, Anya Taylor-Joy fits the worried-sister role, but her performance was somewhat monotonous, with barely any standout moments. Gabriel Bateman’s voice performance is stronger and much more memorable, yet his voice did not fit his Playmobil self. Daniel Radcliffe’s character was the most entertaining; Radcliffe himself was a major aspect, although his performance needed a little more goofiness.

Playmobil: The Movie will have your young ones watching the colourful cartoon characters, but you will probably be wishing you were watching The Lego Movie instead.