The International Writers Magazine: Film Review

Wreck-it Ralph Directed by: Rich Moor Written by: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, and Jim Reardon Screenplay: Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee Starring: John C Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch ... • Holly Trinder review So we're entering the digital matrix that is the world inside the arcade. How many of us (us older kids anyway) spent our money senselessly but deservedly at the American style arcades playing the old classics? Back then gaming was a bit cheaper, if a little less complex and a heck of a lot more pixilated.

Wreck-it Ralph with its familiar gaming faces of Nintendo Sony drenched history peeked the interest of gamers and self-confessed geeks all over. Not to mention the avid younger audience the animated film is probably aimed at.

But what's it all about? We follow the story of Ralph our reluctant protagonist wanting to turn good guy. Tired of his unappreciated life as a bad guy in the 'Fix it Felix Jr' game, Ralph decides to prove he is more than just a bad guy. Setting out he captures the medal, which will prove his worth to his fellow game characters, but when he stumbles into 'Sugar Rush' he loses his chance at good guy status thanks to the game glitch, the adorable chibi girl Vanellope. Both the hulking Ralph, and the tiny Vanellope are chasing their dreams of trying to fit in; Ralph the Villain trying to be the Hero, and Venellope the game glitch trying to be a real part of the game. The unlikely duo team up to take on the odd assortment of the real bad guys to prove that a label doesn't make you who you are.

Being a self confessed geek myself I was keen to go and check this one out. As expected of modern day Disney affair, there were plenty of visuals to lap up. From the well-known classic heroes being animated up to the Disney ranks, to the incredible scenery with more colours than you knew could exist together in one screen. There was definite appreciation for the small details such as the movement of the Nicelanders in their jerky-twitchy-jumpy-straight-line movements giving a toast to the original 2D gaming platform.

Once you get past the 'oh I know that game' bit of the film, there's not a too shabby story lying underneath. Though this film wasn't screaming out with its emotional hook such as 'Up', it certainly still had the sentimental fondness for a whole host of characters and back-stories.

The film was funny, cute, and threw in some really eye tantalising visuals (the 'Hero's Duty' scene being my personal favourite), and had a great soundtrack that will have your veins thrilling with the base of the speakers.

The film keeps reminding you of the real world by taking us to the arcade itself where there is impending doom approaching the 'Fix it Felix Jr' game and its inhabitants, before throwing you back inside the cables and data banks to watch the story of the characters unfold.

The bottom line of the movie is the motto it tries to drive home put so eloquently by a zombie at a bad guys help group;

'Labels not make you happy. Good. Baaad. Eeergh...you must love you.'

   Brace yourself for bad puns, cheeky giggles, enough cutesy names to make you vomit, and some warm fuzzy feelings. Another movie that salutes the outcasts of the world, definitely worth a watch. 

©
Holly Trinder Feb 2013
writer - gamer - plotter
ananthea2136(at)aol.com

Share |

More reviews