ralph breaks the internet
DIRECTOR: rich moore (zootopia) and phil johnston (debut)
STARRING voice talent: john c. reilly, sarah silverman, gal gadot, and taraji p. henson
REVIEWER: lyall carter
Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game, "Sugar Rush." In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet -- the netizens -- to help navigate their way, including an entrepreneur named Yesss, who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site BuzzzTube.
From the off I was never really a fan of 2012's Wreck It Ralph. Don't get me wrong I didn't hate it but I didn't love it like I loved Zootopia and Moana. Sure, even though I wasn't brought up in arcade culture I could still appreciate the films inventiveness. But it seemed a little bit emotionally empty compared to other Disney films. Unfortunately Ralph Wrecks the Internet falls into the same trap.
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Picking up pretty much from where we left Ralph and Vanellope at the end of 2012's Wreck It Ralph, the best friends are living it up at Litwak's Arcade. Life follows the same monotonous pattern with Vanellope wishing for much more. So Ralph, being the good friend that he is, builds Vanellope a new track to race on but disaster strikes which results in her game getting broken. Ralph and Vanellope must head into the World Wide Web to find a part for her arcade game before its shut off for good.
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In Ralph Breaks the Internet the animators have created a world of astounding beauty. Its absolutely jaw dropping and the attention to detail in every densely populated frame is utterly gorgeous. The way in which they portray different websites and functions of the internet is so incredibly imaginative that it reminds you of classic groundbreaking Disney animation of yesteryear.
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The film also manages to poke a little bit of friendly fun at Disney's past which is especially explicit when Vanellope sings her 'princess song' A Place Called Slaugher Race which includes the lyrics 'Look, I’m rhyming; my spirit's climbing, As I'm called through this fog of mace, To this place called Slaughter Race.' Its hilarious stuff.
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But you can't help feeling like somethings missing. It doesn't quite have the heart, the emotional kick that more recent Disney animated films like Frozen and Zootopia had. Perhaps the stakes aren't high enough or the conflict between Ralph and Vanellope isn't big enough. Whatever it was, even though I did enjoy it, it wasn't a hands down Disney classic.
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Ralph Breaks the Internet is a fun filled adventure but doesn't quite have the same heart as other Disney classics.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is available on DVD, Blu-ray, 4KUHD and digital from all good disc and digital retailers.
