Monday 10 June 2013

Wreck-It Ralph: Review

Released in the UK back in February, Wreck-It Ralph is a story about videogame villain Ralph (John C. Reilly), who wants nothing more than to be accepted by his fellow game characters as a 'good guy', even though he is by definition a 'bad guy'. To do this, he goes on an adventure to obtain a medal to prove himself, and along the way he meets many other videogame characters such as Venelope (voiced by comedienne Sarah Silverman) and the power-crazy King Candy (Alan Tudyk).

If it sounds slightly child-friendly, it's because it is. Like the Disney/Pixar favourite Toy Story however, this doesn't mean there isn't many moments which can be appreciated by everybody. Wreck-It Ralph contains many references to numerous retro games, some more subtle than others. From Pacman to Sonic, if you're even remotely a fan of games or even slightly knowledgeable of popular brands, there's something for everybody. 

John C. Reilly (whom is most know from Step Brothers) is simply the perfect actor for Ralph. Even sharing a similar appearance, I can't imagine any other male actor voicing the role, creating a character almost as memorable as Sully from Monsters Inc. or Woody from Toy Story. As he's an anti-hero, it makes it an even more enjoyable film to watch, as his character evolves hugely over the course of the movie. 

Ralph (John C. Reilly)

My main issue with Wreck-It Ralph however, is that there are times when it really does seem too appropriate for very young children. Other Disney/Pixar classics provided consistent entertainment for people of any age, even those focusing on child-like topics, but there are times during the movie where it feels vaguely awkward to watch, with a lot of overly-happy characters and colourful landscapes. Saying this though, many of the areas in the film are incredibly vivid, a true testament to how far animation has come since Disney pioneered popular drawn entertainment many years ago.

Verdict
Wreck-It Ralph is a very enjoyable animation movie which offers lots for children and adults alike. There are some genuinely funny and touching scenes, and overall it's just a very feel-good movie. Sure, at times the plot becomes a little too 'child-friendly', but maybe that is me being cynical. I'd definitely recommend watching the film, especially if you're aware of retro games.     8/10

"I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's
not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me."

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