Wreck-It Ralph [PG]

For thirty years Ralph has been the bad guy of his video game, wrecking everything in his path and then being defeated by Fix-It Felix with his magic golden hammer. It wouldn’t be so bad if Ralph’s co-workers treated him nicely at the end of the day, but no they exclude and fear him because he’s the bad guy. Fed up, Ralph determines to prove that he can be good and leaves his video game in search of a medal to prove his goodness. But along the way, he causes more trouble than he intends by bringing a dangerous insect into another game, making friends with a glitching character named Vanellope, and putting his own video game out of order. Can he be good enough to save everyone or will the arcade pull the plug on Ralph and his ‘friends’? 

For a self-professed Pixar lover, I have to admit that I am a little embarrassed to say that it’s taken me this long to see Wreck-It Ralph. A fresh invention for Pixar, being a fusion of gaming animation (of all kinds, vintage and modern) as well as its signature animation, this movie promises family fun, loveable characters, and a heart-warming story. Admittedly I believe I would have got a lot more out of it if I were a gamer and therefore could understand all the intextual references (because the film is positively riddled with them), but even for the gaming-challenged viewers, it’s a cute and enjoyable a film. I do have to say at this point though, that it’s not my favourite Pixar flick. 

For thirty years Ralph has been the bad guy of his video game, wrecking everything in his path and then being defeated by Fix-It Felix with his magic golden hammer. It wouldn’t be so bad if Ralph’s co-workers treated him nicely at the end of the day, but no they exclude and fear him because he’s the bad guy. Fed up, Ralph determines to prove that he can be good and leaves his video game in search of a medal to prove his goodness. But along the way, he causes more trouble than he intends by bringing a dangerous insect into another game, making friends with a glitching character named Vanellope, and putting his own video game out of order. Can he be good enough to save everyone or will the arcade pull the plug on Ralph and his ‘friends’? 

The story arc is pretty good though quite predictable because it really is like a lot of other Pixar tales of reluctant hero/antihero, moral lessons, and whatnot. Solitary character goes on a quest, makes some unlikely friends along the way, and discovers that he is actually a good guy. It’s been seen before, but is one of those stories that never really gets stale. What I really liked about this flick was that there was a pretty great twist in there, which you can sort of see coming when you actually think about it, but on first viewing it still comes as a bit of a dark shock and what’s really great is that it brings this level of sinisterness and darkness to an otherwise over-the-top bright and happy movie. Who would have a thought that a dark and mentally damaged character could lurk within the pink and fluffy realm of ‘Sugar Rush’? The contrast is really great. 

The script is pretty fantastic; family friendly whilst at the same time being quite clever and rich with intertextual references, allusions, and metafictive narration. And it’s not just other games that get alluded to either; there’s a really big homage to Alien going on that it almost feels like you’re being bashed in the head with it! 

The voice talents were all pretty good, though I have to say that I wasn’t entirely convinced with Sarah Silverman as the voice of adorable little tomboy, Vanellope. Even though this character was meant to be different and have a scruffiness about her, which Sarah did well, I just couldn’t being myself to be ok with this really grown-up voice coming out of this tiny little girl. 

John C. Riley as the voice of Ralph was a spot-on as far as I’m concerned, because he’s got that great dichotomy of being able to be intimidating and endearing at the same time. I was happy with that casting choice. 

Featuring the voice talents of Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Mindy Kaling, Joe Lo Truglio, Ed O’Neil, Dennis Haysbert, Edie McClurg, Raymond S. Persi, Jess Harnell, Rachael Harris, Adam Carolla, and Skylar Astin, Wreck-It Ralph is a really cute and, as can be expected with Pixar, visually gorgeous little movie that’s filled with action, adventure, friendship, lessons, drama, and comedy. Whilst a certain niche portion of audiences will appreciate it all the more for its witty gaming references, it’s still a movie that delivers enjoyment for a wide audience and I have to say that I quite enjoyed it.