‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ | Film Review

Disney coming out with a new animated movie around the fall season is always a joyous occasion, especially for someone who grew up loving the studio. It’s been six years since we first saw Wreck-It Ralph and the rest of some of our favorite video game characters in one movie, and now we get to be invested into the World Wide Web filled with many possibilities of enjoyment in Ralph Breaks the Internet.

What’s the Story: Inside Litwak’s Arcade, Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) have become close friends six years after meeting each other. After the steering wheel of Vanellope’s game “Sugar Rush” breaks, they must venture into the world of the internet to retrieve the replacement item from eBay before her game gets sold.

First off, I absolutely love the first Wreck-It Ralph. Not only was it one of my favorite movies of 2012, but I honestly think it is the best animated Disney movie to come out this decade from how a story of a bad guy who wants to be good in an underdog tale with video game characters. And I’m still pissed that the Academy awarded the Best Animated Feature Oscar to Brave. But we have finally the long-awaited sequel that fans have been anticipating just thinking what else this universe can explore. The concept sounded pretty cool to see our favorite characters from before and see what it has to offer them. I’ll say this, Ralph Breaks the Internet comes close to being as great as the previous movie because it’s a TON is fun to watch.

Some would fear that this sequel wasn’t gonna take itself seriously and just rely on tired internet gags that won’t find funny, or looking like to be a better version of The Emoji Movie. On the contrary. Directors Phil Johnson and Rich Moore and the script by Johnson and co-writer Pamela Ribon actually knew how to make the internet a good satire upon ourselves. They didn’t have to rely too much on well-known video game characters this time but delve into the culture that a lot of us spend more time on than anything.

The friendship between Ralph and Vanellope brought out some of the best moments to make them one of my favorite pairs in any Disney product. I love that this tends to focus on them and how both are having their daily routines in their games, and while he doesn’t really mind it, Vanellope wants something that’s exciting. Got to commend Reilly and Silverman once again providing great voice work.

Once they go into the internet to search for the wheel, they explore some of the things that everybody associates with while being online. It looks like a metropolis of excitement. There are different websites and social media they go into even when they don’t know how it entirely works. Countless references are going to be spotted throughout that’s going to be relatable for all during the first viewing. We always know that there are good and bad things online that we shouldn’t dare to cross, but there’s always a bright side to everything. There’s a moment where I even hate going into since people can be mean and shouldn’t go into in the first place.

Sometimes the internet has become this annoyance when you can’t stand certain people for doing hot takes or just making idiotic comments to popular things to be “cool”. But I love filmmakers’ commentary online about wanting to feel like a safe community that people from all over the world can share. Because most the people online just tick me off on occasions.

We also get to see some new characters across the way like KnowsMore (Alan Tudyk, who voiced King Candy from before), an actual search engine; Yesss (Taraji P. Henson), an algorithm to make videos trend, and Shank (Gal Gadot), a racer from a Fast and Furious/Grand Theft Auto type online racing game called Slaughter Race, where Vanellope grows to loves. And there are cameos that most will point out. I was probably the only one who caught a certain group that made an appearance.

It’s also very funny. There weren’t as many clever jokes as I wanted, but I was laughing a lot, especially with the cultural references that young kids won’t understand. Some of the jokes mostly stem from outdated references that don’t seem that funny.

The part that I was excited yet skeptical about was when the trailer shows Vanellope interacting with the Disney princesses, and it’s honestly gold when they show up. Adding to the fact that almost every actress reprises their vocal talents for the movie, it’s entirely fun for them chatting with Vanellope is acknowledging the typical tropes that come with the movies revolving around a princess.

Surprisingly enough, my biggest take away from this was how it explores friends wanting different paths in their lives. Most of us have grown tired of certain things that feel boring and it find something more exciting and newer; That’s what it comes between Ralph and Vanellope. It actually made me tear up a couple times. Always trust Disney to bring out the heart in their stories and teaches kids an important message.

If I have to talk about the gripes, the first half wasn’t entirely doing it for me, maybe it was due to the fact that this kid was bothering me but the parents left or it felt a bit slow. I also wanted to see more Fix-It Felix Jr. (Jack McBrayer) and Sgt. Calhoun (Jane Lynch) because they worked so well the last movie, and they weren’t in that much.

By the end of it, Ralph Breaks the Internet was a blast to sit through. Disney may have a tough time making good theatrical sequels, but this is one of their bests and this could make people excited about Frozen 2 in a year from now. This is the perfect movie to take your family with since the other family movies that have been out in November aren’t worth it. Let’s get started on the third installment.

Also, stay after the credits. Not only to listen to Imagine Dragons’ “Zero”, but something special right after that made me actually love the movie even more.

Ralph Breaks the Internet comes close to being better than its predecessor with a fun sequel that equals its humor, heart, charm, and all around enjoyability for everyone.

Grade: B+