Today’s quick review: Ratchet & Clank. Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor), a mechanic who dreams of joining the Galactic Rangers, finally gets his chance when Clank (David Kaye), a defective battle robot, crashes near his home with news of an impending assault on the Rangers’ headquarters. Together, Ratchet and Clank set out to help the Rangers fight Drek (Paul Giamatti), who has been destroying planets for his own selfish purposes.
Ratchet & Clank is a CGI animated science fiction comedy based on the video game series. Ratchet & Clank is a loving parody of the sci-fi adventure genre. Its world is populated with killer robots, galactic superheroes, and comedic parallels of Earth culture. The movie offers a decent plot, a bevvy of gadgets, and a dash of self-aware humor. However, its middling writing and humor keep it from living up to its full potential.
Ratchet & Clank struggles with some of its basics. The movie does a good job at kid-friendly comedy and sly, nerdy references, but its bread-and-butter jokes are more amusing than outright funny. Although the plot is fine by kids’ movie standards, it rushes Clank’s origin and his partnership with Ratchet, robbing the story of an important stage of its development.
Still, its gadget-based action and consistently light tone make Ratchet & Clank an enjoyable watch for the right viewer. Give it a shot if you are a fan of science fiction adventure and don’t mind kid-movie writing. Skip it if you are looking for polished sci-fi or a rip-roaring comedy. For a similar kids’ movie, check out Treasure Planet. For a more mature spacefaring sci-fi movie, check out Harlock: Space Pirate.
5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for light adventure and a few good jokes.