Several years ago, singer, songwriter, producer, musician, fashion icon, and designer Pharrell Williams shared an idea with Morgan Neville. Neville is an Oscar-winning documentarian known for his work on 20 Feet From Stardom.
He has redefined how non-fiction films can address complex topics like musical creation and the culture surrounding it. He has worked on films featuring artists as diverse as Yo-Yo Ma, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, and Muddy Waters.
Additionally, he has made films about unique individuals like Anthony Bourdain, Orson Welles, and Mr. Rogers, going far beyond simple hype. His films show their works and character, creating something deeper than a biography, richer than a portrait, and more meaningful than just a puff piece.
It’s no surprise that Pharrell would turn to Neville to tell his story. What is surprising, though, is that they chose to do it as a LEGO movie. Even more surprising is how well that decision worked out with the film Piece by Piece.
As someone who loves LEGO, I’ve been collecting sets since childhood. I’m also a film critic who has thoroughly enjoyed the LEGO movies that began with the 2014 The Lego Movie.
That film, made by Lord and Miller, introduced a hero’s journey where the protagonist overcomes limitations, has their imagination embraced, and, with the help of collaborators, finds their true calling.
Neville plays with this kind of hero’s journey in his telling of Pharrell’s story. He uses familiar adventure storytelling techniques to not only explain Pharrell’s success but also to help show what would otherwise be hard to describe.
Pharrell has a condition called synesthesia, where he can “see” sounds as colors. This unique way of experiencing music is brought to life in the film through colorful LEGO bricks that swirl and evolve with the music, helping to visualize Pharrell’s experience of music.
‘Piece by Piece’ Is a Visual Treat
This makes Piece by Piece not only a compelling story but also a beautiful one. It’s much more than a child’s toy; it’s a powerful way to tell this story. The characters are designed in their LEGO minifigure form, adding a sense of fun to the usually boring format of “talking head” interviews.
Neville uses the LEGO medium to bring elements together, mixing interviews, documentary footage, and creative scenes. Like any animated film, the structure was set years in advance, with time for the animators to perfect each frame. This extra time allowed for a rare kind of precision, which isn’t usually possible in documentaries.
Artists like Gwen Stefani, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg appear in the film as themselves. However, their stories are presented in a dynamic way that mixes humor with deeper moments.
Still from Piece by Piece (Credit: The Lego Group)
Not all stories about Pharrell are flattering, and the film doesn’t shy away from his mistakes. But it’s still focused on Pharrell telling his story in his own way, while Neville brings his own unique style to the film.
The movie doesn’t address every controversial part of Pharrell’s career, like the “Blurred Lines” controversy, but it is clear that the film is filled with joy. However, it never feels like a simple celebration of Pharrell.
It’s easy to assume this project might come across as self-indulgent, but even non-fans can be impressed by how much Pharrell has shaped pop music over the last few decades. The film argues convincingly that his story deserves to be told.
‘Piece by Piece’ Is as Rich as Any Documentary Portrait
It’s ironic that a LEGO movie can help viewers better understand the reality behind Pharrell’s creative process. This unique approach lets us experience what Pharrell and the other participants are trying to explain.
By the end of the movie, I almost forgot I was watching animated characters moving through LEGO-built worlds. The storytelling is so engaging that the film feels as rich and rewarding as any top-tier documentary.
While it’s unlikely that LEGO movies will become a common format for non-fiction films, this one feels special. It’s as if the filmmakers pulled off something wonderful, giving Neville the creative freedom to tell Pharrell’s story in a new way. Pharrell, in turn, uses the film to reflect not only his musical journey but also his spiritual one.
Fans of Pharrell will certainly enjoy the film, but the movie’s structure ensures that it reaches beyond just his fans. The film raises bigger questions and avoids being too preachy or overly emotional.
Bit by bit, Neville builds Pharrell’s story into something special, blending documentary, animation, storytelling, and music to create something colorful and remarkable.
Piece by Piece is serious about creativity and humble about the importance of joy. In short, Piece by Piece is brilliantly executed, a unique and joyful experience.
Pharrell Williams teamed up with Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville to create Piece by Piece, a LEGO movie that tells Pharrell’s story in a unique, visually attractive way.
Still from Piece by Piece (Credit: The Lego Group)
The film shows Pharrell’s musical journey, including his synesthesia, where he experiences sounds as colors. Using animated LEGO bricks, Neville crafts a vibrant, engaging narrative, blending interviews, documentary footage, and creative scenes.
While the film highlights Pharrell’s success and creative process, it doesn’t shy away from his mistakes. The result is a colorful and joyful film that goes beyond typical documentaries, offering something special for both fans and non-fans alike.
Piece by Piece was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
House of the Dragon made several notable changes from George R.R. Martin’s novel, Fire & Blood. Some of these changes were well-received, while others faced criticism. However, the first episode of Season 1 introduced a major change that impacts the entire Game of Thrones series.
At the end of the pilot, Viserys (played by Paddy Considine) discloses that Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream about the future. In this vision, the Others rise from the dead to invade Westeros, and Aegon believes that a Targaryen must unite the Seven Kingdoms to fight this threat.
Aegon’s dream shares its name with the novel series: The Song of Ice and Fire. Although this has never been officially confirmed in the books, there are many clues suggesting that a similar revelation might appear in Martin’s upcoming novel, The Winds of Winter.
The Targaryens are the most powerful house in Westeros. They are famous for their silver hair and numerous dragons. During the time of Old Valyria, they were a minor house. However, House Targaryen was the only family to survive the Doom of Valyria.
Their survival was due to their unique ability to foresee future events. Daenys the Dreamer saw the Doom in a dream and warned her family. Her ability was passed down to some Targaryens over generations.
Aegon the Conqueror seemed to have this gift as well. His dream was passed from one king to another over time, and several important characters in the books might be aware of his vision.
Rhaegar Knew About the Prophecy
The Song of Ice and Fire novels give several hints that Rhaegar Targaryen (played by Wilf Scolding) knew about Aegon’s dream. It appears that his actions during Robert’s Rebellion were related to this prophecy.
Rhaegar was Daenerys’ (played by Emilia Clarke) older brother and was later revealed to be Jon Snow’s (played by Kit Harington) father. Evidence suggests that Rhaegar was aware of Aegon’s prophecy in A Clash of Kings. When Daenerys enters the House of the Undying, she sees visions that show the past and predict the future.
In a scene cut from Game of Thrones, Daenerys sees Oberyn’s (played by Pedro Pascal) sister, Elia Martell, giving birth to Rhaegar’s son. Rhaegar says, “He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.” He adds, “There must be one more… The Dragon has three heads.”
Still from House of the Dragon (Credit: HBO)
Aegon’s prophecy often relates to the idea of a three-headed dragon. Rhaegar likely referred to his own children and was trying to match the original three Targaryens who conquered Westeros—Aegon and his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya.
Rhaegar had two children with Elia, named Rhaenys and Aegon, and he probably expected another daughter, whom he would name Visenya. His plans were disrupted when it was found that Elia could not survive another childbirth, leading him to seek another way to have his third child, resulting in Jon Snow’s birth.
Rhaegar Tried To Create Azor Ahai
Another part of A Storm of Swords suggests that Rhaegar was involved in Aegon’s prophecy. Barristan Selmy (played by Ian McElhinney) recalls that “Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him… the boy suddenly appeared early one morning in the yard… and said, ‘I will require a sword and armor.
It seems I must be a warrior.’” This suggests that Rhaegar not only knew about Aegon’s dream but also believed it was about himself. In A Feast For Crows, Maester Aemon (played by Peter Vaughan) explains that Rhaegar initially thought he was Azor Ahai, the prophesied hero meant to lead the fight against the Others.
“He shared my belief when he was young, but later he became persuaded that it was his own son who fulfilled the prophecy, for a comet had been seen above King’s Landing on the night Aegon was conceived, and Rhaegar was certain the bleeding star had to be a comet.” Rhaegar was mistaken.
Jon Snow’s birth changed the idea that Rhaegar would father the next three Dragonriders, especially since Jon was male. The red comet appeared again when Daenerys had her three dragons.
Rhaegar’s story is tragic. He was consumed by Aegon’s dream and spent his life trying to make that dream come true, but ultimately he failed. One important question remains—how does this connect to House of the Dragon?
House of the Dragon Confirms Rhaegar’s Theory
House of the Dragon confirms the prophecy’s validity and shows that Aegon’s dream is real. Showrunner Ryan Condal mentioned that this idea came from Martin himself.
“That actually came from [Martin]… he casually mentioned the fact that Aegon the Conqueror was a dreamer who saw a vision of the White Walkers coming across the wall … We infused that into the story.” However, the mystery of the three-headed dragon remains unsolved.
Still from House of the Dragon (Credit: HBO)
The Targaryen sigil is a key reference to this theory, and another hint appears in House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 10. When visiting Vermithor, Daemon (played by Matt Smith) sings a song in High Valyrian. The translated lyrics provide crucial information about Rhaegar’s theory.
“Fire breather, winged leader. But two heads, to a third sing… As one we gather, and with three heads, we shall fly as we were destined.”
House of the Dragon suggests that the prophecy dates back to Old Valyria, and Aegon wasn’t the first to see this vision of the Others. There is strong evidence that Targaryens play a crucial role in the fight against the Others, and there must be three Dragonriders to win. Daenerys gives birth to three dragons but is missing two riders.
Fans have speculated about the identity of the other riders, with Jon Snow being a likely candidate. Despite Game of Thrones dismissing this theory when the Night King claimed Viserion, there is still evidence that Rhaegar knew about the prophecy, and House of the Dragon confirmed his theory almost twenty years after A Feast For Crows was published.
Aegon’s dream remains a secret in House of the Dragon. Only Rhaenyra (played by Emma D’Arcy), Jacaerys (played by Harry Collett), and Daemon know about it from his Weirwood visions at Harrenhal.
Whether this secret survives the Dance of Dragons is unknown. Even if it is lost, the books suggest that it will be revealed almost 200 years later, just in time for Daenerys to take the throne.
House of the Dragon introduces a significant shift in the Game of Thrones narrative by highlighting Aegon the Conqueror’s prophetic dream. This dream, revealing a future invasion by the Others, aligns with the series’ central theme of impending doom and the need for a unified Targaryen front.
Still from House of the Dragon (Credit: HBO)
The revelation about Aegon’s vision deepens the connection between the Targaryens and their legendary role in the fight against the Others. Rhaegar Targaryen’s belief in the prophecy, and his efforts to fulfill it, underscore his tragic fate.
Despite the challenges and changes made in the adaptations, the core elements of the prophecy, including the significance of a three-headed dragon, remain a vital part of the storyline. As House of the Dragon continues, it will show whether these ancient prophecies will guide the fate of Westeros and the future of the Targaryen dynasty.
Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are available for streaming on MAX in the U.S.
