Feature | Lights, Camera, Action! – Wreck-It Ralph

Lights, Camera, Action! - Wreck-It Ralph (UK Rating: PG)

I didn't really get Wreck-It Ralph. Video gamers may disagree, but despite the Oscar nomination for best animation, this isn't at all one of Disney's best, though it has a decent idea to start it off and efficiently crafted animation. Sorry guys, I just didn't like the characters, the weak puns, the sickly designs or the silly story.

John C. Reilly provides the dull voice of the boring hero Ralph, a video game villain who wants to be a hero like Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock fame) and jumps games to the sci-fi world of Heroes Duty featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch, Glee) and then to the candy land world of Sugar Rush. Its ruler, King Candy (Alan Tudyk - Dollhouse, Firefly), is a bearable creation as a fussy traditional Disney character of the old school kind but the Vanellope von Schweetz character - a trouble-making 'glitch' voiced by Sarah Silverman - is especially annoying, though she's supposed to be cute and even adorable.

Who's it aimed at, apart from very small kids, probably little girls like Vanellope? No sequel please. Game over.

Second Thoughts

Wreck-It Ralph is definitely a movie that will mostly be adored by those that have been playing video games for the past 20-30 years, dating back to the original Donkey Kong from the arcade, with the ever-chipper Jumpman (now better known as Mario, of course). The theme is definitely of the Toy Story ilk, and it is no surprise to see Disney Pixar's John Lasseter lined up in the credits. Lights go out, children go home…and magically the game characters in the arcades all come to life, travelling around via Game Central Station to visit each other. However, protagonist Ralph is tired of constantly climbing his tall building, smashing the windows of its occupants only for hero Fit-It Felix to save the day.

At a support group for antagonists - 'Bad Anon' led by Clyde the Ghost from Pac-Man - Ralph sits amongst the likes of Bowser (Super Mario Bros.), Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog), Cyril the Zombie (House of the Dead), Zangief and M. Bison (Street Fighter - the former being hilarious, talking about trapping people between his thighs!), Kano and Smoke (Mortal Kombat), Satine (Diablo), Cyborg (Cyborg Justice), Neff (Altered Beast), Mishaela (Shining Force), and Beholder (Eye of the Beholder). It really is a great cast of cameos, and is followed up by references to Mario and appearances throughout the movie from the likes of Q-Bert, Ken and Ryu, Sonic, and even Yuni Verse from Dance Dance Revolution, as well as elements and characters from games such as Metal Gear Solid, Dig Dug, Space Invaders, WarioWare, Super Mario Galaxy being littered around in the background at various times, with the classic NES controller also featuring later in the movie.

7/10

Very Good - Bronze Award

Strewn with comical touches, heart-warming moments, and a clear message that we should all be thankful for the role we play in life (maybe?), Wreck-It Ralph actually delights when viewed by the right audience, and with it more than doubling its budget at the box office so far, a sequel will undoubtedly be forthcoming. Hopefully some of the cameos will have a more prominent role next time, though.