A feel-good movie with tongue-in-cheek cameos of Stan Lee and Baby Groot is worth your time.
Movie: Ralph Breaks the Internet
Cast: John C Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P Henson, Alan Tudyk, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Bill Hader
Director: Phil Johnston, Rich Moore
Genre: Animation
Duration: 1hr 52min
Story:
It's been six years since the events of Wreck-It Ralph. Ralph (John C Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) are best of friends and have a routine set for every day the arcade is open. While Ralph has never been this satisfied with his life-wrecking the house in the day and spending the evening at Tappers to enjoy a few root beers with his friend -- Vanellope is tired of circling the same three tracks she can race blindfolded. One day, arcade owner Litwack connects the games with wi-fi and the 'no-trespassing' warning makes Vanellope angry. But soon, the steering wheel of Vanellope's ageing game 'Sugar Rush' breaks and only eBay has the replacement. To keep Sugar Rush from dying, Vanellope and Ralph enter the world of the Internet in the hopes to get the steering wheel. There, in the efforts to get the money for the part, these two best friends get into Slaughter Race, a GTA like game ruled by Shank (Gal Gadot) -- a street racer who serves as inspiration and enticement for little Vanellope. Then follows Ralph taking over the Internet by becoming 'the viral' thing with the help of BuzzTube's algorithm Yesss (Taraji P Henson). These adventures to get the wheel to introduce Vanellope and Ralph to numerous characters like search engine Mr KnowsMore (Alan Tudyk), JP Spamley (Bill Hader), and all the Disney Princesses. The interaction with the princesses ensures hilarity, but the friendship test for Ralph and Vanellope makes for the heart fo the story.
Review:
Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon's story maintains a steady pace until the final 30 minutes of the movie. It doesn't take long for the leading pair to get on with their new adventure. Their introduction to the Internet world shall remind you of Zootopia and the districts of the animated city. This world of 1s and 0s has a sleek, futuristic feel that again gets dangerously close to resembling the inside of Axiom ship in Pixar movie Wall-E.
Leaving the similarities behind, the ambience of the movie begs for repeated viewings (pause, peer ponder, resume, repeat) because the detailing of every scene is mind-blowing. The best part of this feature film is the gathering of princesses. This is where Disney goes where nobody thought of them reaching. The media juggernaut addresses the issues with the princesses and their stories head-on. They poke fun at themselves with a song written by Alan Menken titled 'A Place Called Slaughter Race' and acknowledge the regressive narrative that was part of most stories in the past. A little course correction for parents' satisfaction and a giddy gathering for the kids in the cinema hall.
The teamwork of the princess becomes the unexpected highlight of the movie because the friendship angle fails to make a strong landing. The one massive flaw that taints the otherwise perfect story.
John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman slip right into their characters. Gal Gadot and Taraji P Henson become too solid pillars that provide the emotional gravitas with their seamless supporting roles. Alan Tudyk's KnowsMore and Bill Hader's JP Spamley earn the chuckles from the audience.
A tongue-in-cheek gathering of princesses, a new arena to play in, and a tale of friendship, viewers can take a pick and still end up watching a delightful animated feature from the House of the Mouse.
Verdict:
A little feel-good never hurt anyone.
Critic's ratings: 4/5
PS - Do not leave until the credits are done rolling.
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