Review: Wreck-It Ralph

I have a weird affinity for animated movies. Any type of animated movie that comes out is guaranteed to have me planted right in front of it, usually opening weekend. Reason being, aside from the fact that I’m old enough to get the dirty innuendos now, I am sort of transported back into my childhood, which is why I am such a fan of “Wreck-It Ralph.”

First and foremost, I want to mention John C. Reilly and how I actually prefer him in roles like this one. Usually, Reilly is expected to be in raunchy comedies highlighting absolutely nothing as far as his acting talents. While I drank the Kool-Aid and embraced both him and his Jew-fro in “Stepbrothers,” I loved him more in “Chicago” and movies like “Wreck-It Ralph” where he shows he’s able to execute humor outside of something toilet-related.

The movie starts with Ralph as the bad guy in his game “Fix it Felix Jr.” where he feels under-appreciated, and even goes to a bad guys support group with Bowser, Pac Man and some of the guys from “Street Fighter,” among others.

Ralph then realizes the 30th anniversary of his game is nigh, and he wants to be invited to the party that all the citizens of the game are throwing, with Felix, the game’s protagonist, as the guest of honor who is set to receive yet another medal from the community. Ralph crashes, smashes and unintentionally destroys the party, angering the citizens. He says he could be a good guy too if he was given the opportunity.

He then makes a deal with the community saying that if he can win a medal just like Felix, he should be allowed to live in the penthouse of the building and be invited to all the parties.

Thus begins the struggle.

Ralph bounces from game to game and eventually wins a medal he loses to child-swindler Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) when he crash-lands in her racing game, “Sugar Rush.”

Let it be known that, in my book, Sarah Silverman hasn’t done anything remotely funny since the “I’m F*cking Matt Damon” video in 2008. However, Silverman makes an adorable toddler turned charlatan. Scratch that. Silverman’s usually strident voice makes for an adorable toddler.

Obviously there is a blatant reference to bullying and how uncool it is, coinciding with the bullying movement that’s been beaten into us for the last few years. Thanks, Demi Lovato. Personally, I think entirely too many things are being considered bullying, probably because I’m of the belief that a tiny amount of bullying builds character (I consider myself first-hand proof) but that’s a different column for a different day.

Outside of the very obvious social statement, the movie is adorable. The animation, of course, is wonderful. It’s Disney. So wonderful, in fact, that I’ve decided when I graduate, I’d like to be a reporter inside the game Sugar Rush.

Here’s why:

 It’s just so pretty.

The thing I was most impressed with, though, was all the thought put into each individual aspect of the arcade.

There was a certain way each game got around to the other games after the arcade closed for the night. There was a reason why Ralph going to other arcade games was such a big deal. And, believe it or not, there was an actual plot twist toward the end of it all. Everything effected another thing in ways that I wouldn’t have thought of, which is probably the reason behind why I’m not a filmmaker.

This film is endearing, sweet and appropriate for just about anyone, unless you hate happiness, candy, puppies and Christmas. In which case, I don’t want to be associated with you anyway.

I give the movie 4 out of 5 stars. So cute, so much fun to watch, with a few hearty laughs sprinkled within.

★★★★★