Wit and wonder: 'Ralph Breaks the Internet' is a digital delight
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
4 out of 5 Stars
Directors: Phil Johnston, Rich Moore
Writer: Phil Johnston, Pamela Ribon, Rich Moore, Jim Reardon, Josie Trinidad
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
Rated: PG for some action and rude humor
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) - Synopsis: Ralph and Venellope travel through the internet in hopes of finding a replacement steering wheel for Sugar Rush.
Review: 2012’s “Wreck-It-Ralph” was a thoroughly enjoyable tribute to an age where children and teens flocked to arcades to rid their pockets of quarters to explore the exotic worlds of early video games. It was a critical and box office success that, if we’re going to be honest, should have easily beat “Brave” for Best Animated Feature at 2013’s Academy Awards.
Six years later we’re treated with a sequel, “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” A continuation that finds our hero, Ralph (John C. Reilly), and his beloved sidekick Venellope, (Sarah Silverman) visiting the wilds of an internet world they don’t understand. Like all who enter the worldwide web unprepared, the duo learns the hard way that being naïve makes them fodder for the less scrupulous denizens of the digital realm.
What follows is a series of wry observations regarding the internet that mostly works. There are a few moments that feel like your grandparents talking about “newfangled technology,” but these moments are easily balanced out by numerous instances of on-point parody. Gal Gadot's Shank, a rough and rumble driver from a game aptly titled "Slaughter Race," is a welcome addition to the roster. Shank is the sort of supporting character that, should the franchise continue on, needs to be included in some capacity in future adventures.
I don’t know if “Ralph Breaks the Internet” will feel as nearly as accurate in 20 years as “Wreck-It-Ralph” still does, but even if some of its jokes become dated curiosities, the sequel will still have its brilliant satire of Disney Princesses and their lives to fall back on.
Now, can we please book Silverman and Gadot to sing "A Place Called Slaughter Race" at all the award shows? That would be great, thanks.