Today’s quick review: Wreck-It Ralph. Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly), the villain of an old arcade game, is tired of being an outcast. To win acceptance, he sets out from his arcade machine to become the hero of another game. After some wandering, he ends up in Sugar Rush, a candy-flavored racing game, where he finds an unlikely friend in Vanellope Von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), a young girl with dreams of becoming a racer.
Wreck-It Ralph is an animated comedy adventure from Disney. Wreck-It Ralph imagines a world where video game characters are real people with their own dreams and concerns. Thematically, the story is about friendship, belonging, and accepting one’s lot in life. Colorful CGI, a talented vocal cast, a fun script, and a subtly inspiring soundtrack give the movie all the quality it needs. How it stacks up against Disney’s other offerings comes down to taste.
Wreck-It Ralph is a tribute to the history of video games. Its heart lies with the arcade cabinets of the 80s: Ralph himself is patterned after Donkey Kong, and much of the film’s early humor riffs on the look, sound, and rules of early video games. From there Wreck-It Ralph ventures into more recent genres, such as first-person shooters and 3D racing games. The movie also slips in plenty of cameos that range from Sonic the Hedgehod to Q*bert.
Wreck-It Ralph takes a while to come into its own. The first hour introduces Ralph, his world, and his misguided attempts to fit in. The story is charming and fun, but it lacks direction. Once Ralph gets established in Sugar Rush, that changes. Vanellope’s quest gives him and the film a sense of purpose, and the ending manages to tie together several separate plot threads. Still, the story takes a back seat to the characters for most of the film.
Watch Wreck-It Ralph when you’re in the mood for something fun, innocent, and sweet. Its plot structure is less direct than the usual Disney film, but its world and characters are enough to make it a delight to watch. Skip it if you dislike family comedies or sentimentality. For a partially live-action movie that goes in the opposite direction with its video game love, check out Ready Player One.
7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a unique premise, charming humor, and heart.