As the end of the year film season continues, we are offered yet another animated film which is a continuation of "Wreck-It Ralph" '12 appropriately titled "Ralph Breaks the Internet". Considering this is nothing more than an animated cross between a Disney travelogue and a Disney infomercial plugging just about everything they've made, this still is a well made film as far as the visuals and animation is concerned.
Taking place six years after saving the arcade from Turbo's vengeance, the "Sugar Rush" Arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) to travel the internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak's Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game.
In this installment, video-game bad guy Ralph and Vanellope leave the comforts of the arcade in order to save Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet--the Netizens--to help navigate their way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site "BuzzzTube", and Shank (Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game, "Slaughter Race".
Others to round out the cast are Jack McBrayer as Felix, Jane Lynch as Calhoun, Alan Tudyk as Knowsmore, Alfred Molina as Double Don, Ed O'Neill as Mr. Litwak, Sean Giambrone as Eboy, Flula Borg as Maybe, Timothy Simons as Butcher Boy and Ali Wong as Felony.
This was directed with the expertise we've come to expect from Disney by Phil Johnston (two shorts) and Rich Moore ("Wreck-It Ralph" '12, "Zootopia" '16,) plus video shorts and TV. For the limited experience these two filmmakers have in the director's chair, I'm amazed that these characters came across with the realism they obtained, especially it being animated. More work should come their way. Where the problem lies with this film, is with the writing by Johnston ("Cedar Rapids" '11, "Wreck-It Ralph" '12, "Zootopia" '16, "The Brothers Grimsby" '16) plus shorts and TV, and Pamela Ribon ("Moana" (story) '16, "Smurfs: The Lost Village" '17) plus TV, based on a story by Moore, Johnson, Jim Reardon, Ribon and Josie Trinidad. First of all, this film was truly too long-in-the-tooth. It could've easily gotten its point across minus 10 minutes. Secondly, the story meandered a bit, and thirdly, it was slow in places, then it picked the pace and became interesting, only to become slow again. These two writers certainly have enough experience to create something with more polish and creativity. The premise was an interesting one, however the execution need a shot in the arm. This does leave the story either closed or open ended, but if I know Disney--the marketers of the planet, there will be another installment, especially since this is making a profit. And, of course, the best thing about this is the animation and visuals, but Disney is famous for that.
Certainly if you're a Disney fan, you'll revel, and if you have kids, they will definitely love this, since this is a great family film with a good message. Since there are so few films out there for kids and their families, it is nice that Hollywood can and does still make films for this demographic.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG 112mins.
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