Ralph Breaks the Internet

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Starring John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson

Directed by Phil Johnston & Rich Moore

The Story:
Six years after working together previously, Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) and racer Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) are enjoying their lives as video game characters, even if Vanellope begins feeling a bit restless after playing in the same game over and over.  Ralph likes the life they have together, but it's thrown into turmoil after Vanellope's game breaks, and they learn they need to find a steering wheel on eBay before the arcade owner throws out her game for good.

Ralph and Vanellope enter the World Wide Web, and find a whole new world on the Internet, where they try to raise money to pay for the wheel.  Vanellope enters a game called "Slaughter Race," and meets racer Shank (Gal Gadot), who shows her a different life outside her normal gaming world, and threatens to tear the two friends apart as Vanellope wants to pursue her dream of being more than just a video game racer, while Ralph wants to go back home and maintain the status quo with his best friend.

The Synopsis:
Six years after the surprise success of "Wreck-It Ralph," our favorite friends return once again, this time tackling the Internet in "Ralph Breaks the Internet."  After he inadvertently caused her game to break, Ralph decides to go to the World Wide Web to find a steering wheel to fix Vanellope's game before it gets thrown out by the arcade owner, and the two best friends enter a whole new world.

Being a Disney product, there's already enough to be said for the animation - it's beyond compare, lavish, lovely, and livid, everything you'd expect from the decades-old company.  The film doesn't miss a beat, maintaining a continuing sense of perfection when it comes to the animation on screen that only heightens the beautiful aspect of the story being told.

The story in the film is something a bit different than most Disney films, and surprisingly it manages to make fun of its own brand in the process.  Instead of maintaining a status quo of having the female heroine stand behind a strong man, this film brings Vanellope front and center as her own type of princess, serving as both the brains and heart of the duo.  There's even an amazing scene where Vanellope runs into the classic Disney princesses (most of which having been voiced by their original counterparts), who demand what type of princess Vanellope is - with humorous results.

Yet the main thrust of the film deals with the value of friendships, and how to maintain these friendships when their futures draw them apart.  Vanellope gets a feel for the Internet as a driver in a "GTA" inspired game that Ralph disapproves of because it's too dangerous - but also more importantly one where he won't be able to see Vanellope on a daily basis.  It's an interesting premise that's not fully explored in other movies - can best friends be best friends if their dreams are different?  This is the question that plagues both the characters in different ways, but also exposes their deepest insecurities, which get exploited because - of course - it's the Internet.

John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman return as Ralph and Vanellope, and both once again give great performances, and really own their characters in truly unique ways.  Even though she's just a child, Vanellope often serves as the adult in the room in regards to Ralph's brainless antics, but everything he does - no matter how stupid or volatile - is done for Vanellope's benefit, and gives new meaning to the phrase "Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions."  The film could either rise or fall on their performances, and thankfully it rises to equality with the original, providing a heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking, story that will almost definitely leave a tear in your eye.

Adding to the great voice cast is Gal Gadot as Shank, the no-nonsense driver in "Slaughter Race" who serves as Vanellope's new friend, who shows her a new way of thinking.  Equally, Taraji P. Henson relishes her role of Yesss, an algorithm who determines trending videos on BuzzzTube.  The film does manage to exploit and make fun of all the typical Internet tropes, but none done so well as the aspect of making money online by posting videos and earning hearts, which equal cold hard cash.  It's done in a way that's intelligent and insightful, as endearing as any Disney movie could be.

The Summary:
With the strong performances from John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman, "Ralph Breaks the Internet" will not only break the Internet, but hearts as well, providing a spellbinding, beautiful story about the power of friendship and the value of your dreams.

The Score: A+