RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET – Review

Well, feature animation fans it’s time to empty out that big change jar and head down to the video arcade. You know, right next to the multiplex. What to do you mean it’s gone? Why the next thing you’ll tell me is that the Blockbuster Video is…uh, oh. That sums up the challenge for the folks at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. In 2010 they finally had a hit that almost rivaled their friendly (same company by then) neighbor at Pixar, a modern attitude take on the Rapunzel fairy tale called TANGLED. And two years later WDAS had an even bigger hit with WRECK-IT RALPH a zany look at what goes on after hours at a video arcade, a clever mix of TOY STORY and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (lots of cameos from game superstars from several companies). Six years later WDAS decides to finally produce a theatrical sequel (most follow-ups to their features go right to home video or TV), but video arcades are on the outs, unless they’re part of those big family fun places that include food (pizza primarily) and interactive activities (bumper cars, mini-coasters, etc.). Where are folks playing video games now? At home mostly, with gaming systems and online with other folks across town or the globe. There’s now only one option for that brick smashing game icon, as we try to maintain our WiFi connection when RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET.

Yes, the setting of this new flick is today, and somehow Litwak’s Arcade is still open. Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) spend their days entertaining the kid clientele via their respective games, “Fix-It Felix Jr.” and “Sugar Rush”. At night, the two meet down at the electrical outlet power strip and spend the wee hours at different games before heading to Tappers for a frosty root beer before heading back to their respective home games. Vanellope enjoys their time together but ponders to Ralph whether there’s more to do. One day their routine is disrupted when one of the other games is unplugged and replaced with a WiFi router. The two are curious but are warned away by Surge Protector (Phil Johnston). Hours later, the ultimate disaster occurs, the steering wheel on the Sugar Rush game is broken. Ralph and Vanellope overhear Mr. Litwak (Ed O’Neill) say that he’ll have to order a new one from the internet. Now the duo has a mission, as they sneak into the world wide web via the router cord. The helpful guide/search engine KnowsMore (Alan Tudyk), gets them to the eBay site which has a wheel up for auction. The two bid way too much, thinking the point is to top each other’s number, and so they need to make some quick cash. In their travels the two stumble into the gritty game, Slaughter Race, where Vanellope becomes fast friends with its racing star Shank (Gal Gadot). While they bond, Ralph visits the BuzzTube offices of Yesss (Taraji P. Henson) who plans to make him a viral video superstar (lots of hits=lotsa’ dough). Then the unthinkable happens. Vanellope thinks that she may want to stay online in Shanks’ game. Will these inseparable best buds be …separated? And can Ralph prevent that from happening without, well, breaking the internet?

The returning voice actors easily slip back into their gaming personas, like, um, a comfortable old pair of slippers. Reilly is that same big, friendly affable lunkhead with a soft heart to match his head, at times. He always has the best intentions, though never truly thinks out the consequences. But he’s a devoted pal to Vanellope who still has the right mix of innocence and sass thanks to the spirited vocal stylings of Silverman. This time out, though there’s a touch of pathos to the mischievous imp. Like some many Disney heroines before her, she’s yearning for something and eager to explore the world, newly expanded thanks to the “interweb”. Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch also return as the oddest of arcade couple, eternal lovebirds perky, peppy Felix and tough somewhat surly Calhoun. As for the new additions, Gadot is smooth and sultry as the street-smart Shank making her the ideal big sis to Ms. V. While Henson brings an infectious energy to the also cool, though much flashier Yesss who nearly flings herself across her opulent digs when formulating a plan. Tudyk, who may be WDAS’s good luck charm as much as John Ratzenberger is over at Pixar, makes KnowsMore a very funny and endearing “know-it-all”. SNL vet Bill Hader pops in and out as a motor-mouthed pop-up ad pitchman, similar to a cyber member of Nathan Detroit’s crew from GUYS AND DOLLS. But not everybody’s helpful and pleasant. Alfred Molina represents the “dark side” of the web as the growling, gruesome underworld…er web kingpin known as Double Dan (if you’re reminded of a 1990 sci-fi misfit, then you have TOTAL RECALL). Plus there are loads of familiar voices showing up as the online incarnation of their famous media roles.

Rich Moore, who snagged a well-deserved Oscar for ZOOTOPIA a couple of years ago, returns for this sequel sharing the director reigns with first-time feature filmmaker Phil Johnson. Oh, and the two share story and screenplay credits with Jim Reardon, Pamela Ribon, and Josie Trinidad. Big kudos to them all for bringing us a follow-up that just as funny, and perhaps, emotionally richer than the first flick. Happily, the look of the new supporting players is just as interesting as the “Mutt and Jeff” dynamic of Ralph and Vanellope, while bringing us a variety of design and styles. And somehow they all work well together. There are the “cartoony” short and squat looks (inspired by the UPA shorts of the 1950’s) of KnowMore and the “pop-up” pitchmen. But they’re distinct from the icons representing internet viewers with cubed heads and spindly-thin bodies (look for one that recalls a very recently departed, much-beloved superstar). Then we’ve got the fairly realistic, almost out of an adventure comic strip, denizens of the Slaughter Race site, with the fine details of Shank’s streetwear and chopped frayed hair. Somewhere in-between is the slick, curved rendering of Yesss, who has a neo-futuristic fashion sense, sort of hip-hop meets Hirschfield (the caricature genius that inspired the Genie in ALADDIN). Speaking of character design, as the ads and trailers heavily tout, the Disney Princesses appear all together here. The artists have made the icons from different eras look pleasing in CGI 3D (many were originally drawn in 2D cell animation), and they interact without any jarring visual gaffes. So, Snow White can hang with Moana, and it seems natural. Happily, not all the best jokes and gags are in the ads. There’s a winking sense of affectionate satire in the interactions that will delight Disney fans of all ages. But that’s just a few scenes in this smart script that mingles cyber jokes about that annoying buffering spinning colored circle to the dangers of reading the comments section with a sweet, touching story of relationships. It extolls the joys of friendship while having much to say about a “selfish love” and the destructive results of trying to hold a friend back, for fear of losing them. Heady stuff in a family flick, eh? Oh, about the look of the internet, well it’s a glistening blue-tinged mix of Oz and METROPOLIS (the silent classic, not Superman’s home turf), that is often too jampacked with widgets and “gee-gaws” (maybe I should spring for the 3D upgrade on the next viewing). Yes, it’s a visual feast loaded with heart and humor. When RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, he and his old and new friends will delight movie audiences of any age.

4.5 Out of 5