Wreck-It-Ralph
Starring: John C. Rielly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer
Directed By: Rich Moore
Reviewed by Danielle Muir

[rating: 4/5]

Old-school gaming fans and lovers of animation that doesn’t dumb down their script for the child market – listen up.  Director Rich Moore and his team have created a truly spellbinding and intricate environment for their extremely likeable and entertaining characters in their new film Wreck-It-Ralph, along with a story that truly appeals to all markets.

Sick of being the bad guy in his own game ‘Fix It Felix Jr’, Wreck-It-Ralph decides to abscond to the other video game worlds within the arcade in order to win a hero’s medal and his chance at living amongst the good.  Crash-landing into the candy-laden racing game ‘Sugar Rush’, he meets Venelope (otherwise known as the glitch due to her characters uncontrollably spontaneous teleporting), whose greatest wish is to compete in the race with her fellow sugar-coated females.  Together they strive to reach their own shared glory – the acceptance of their world.

Wreck-It-Ralph is one of the best animations this year, if not in recent years.  Everything is crafted meticulously, with such flair and charm that everyone will be susceptible.  Ralph is a character you empathise, his exclusion and decisions for the greater good never appearing inherently selfish – and some of the decisions he is forced to make, particularly when Venelope is involved, reflects the mature and grounded nature of a plot well thought out, despite the incredibly fanciful world of the film.

The animation is absolutely spectacular, with the video game worlds in which Ralph roams intricate and packed with life.  Whether it’s the cyber-city of ‘Hero’s Duty’ or the sickeningly sweet, lollipop laden ‘Sugar Rush’, each has incredible detail that re-affirms the love and care that has built this movie.  The supporting characters within the Fix It Felix Jr game move in a hilariously disjointed and jarring fashion, as per the movements of actual old school games ala Space Invaders.

This truly is a film that will appeal to every age – there’s no overly adult humour that’s unsuitable for the youngins’, apart from a few nostalgia hits from classic video games that may go over their heads – nor is the script bland because of its attempt to be totally inoffensive and therefore beige.  The cast has done a fabulous job of bringing a vibrant life to the characters, all of whom have depth and a tangible personality, elements of which everyone can identify with.  Whether it’s being an outcast, craving acceptance, being the one who shuns others simply because that’s what the group deems acceptable, there’s a little bit of everyone to be identified.

So take your kids, take your friends, take your SEGA loving, Nintendo 64 craving fanboys and girls of every age to see Wreck-It-Ralph, whether it’s for a nostalgia hit, a babysitting job or simply to appreciate some beautiful animation and storytelling.