5/5 Review
In Pixar’s “Toy Story,” all the toys come to life when there are no humans around. Have you ever wondered it that applied to video games?
Well, Disney has decided to answer that age-old-question-I-just-made-up with their 52nd entry to the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.
Like “Toy Story,” “Wreck-it-Ralph” features instantly recognizable characters from popular franchises like “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Street Fighter,” “Pac-Man,” “Super Mario Bros” and even older games like “Q*bert,” “Joust” and “Pong.”
The story follows Wreck-it-Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly, who for 30 years has been the villain of the popular arcade game Fix-it Felix Jr. When Ralph is shafted from attending the anniversary party, he decides to prove that he can be a hero by “game jumping,” which is when characters go to a different game in the arcade.
The film features the voices of Jane Lynch, Sarah Silverman, and Jack McBrayer
The story is definitely that of an animated family film, but it does offer quite a few things for gamers and adult viewers. There are references and cameos galore for nerds to geek out over, in addition to jokes for both adults and children. Some parts are predictable, but enjoyable none the less.
The animation is par for the course when if comes to Disney’s forays into computer animation. The characters are expressive and lively. The sets are elaborately rendered and match each of their respective games.
There are a great deal of subtle nuances and sight gags to keep the viewer engaged without becoming too distracting. Even though this isn’t one of the usual “animated musicals,” that same Disney magic is still present.
The voice acting is also excellent, with only one or two of the cast being instantly recognizable. However, that recognition is part of the character’s design, most notably with Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer.
The dialogue between the characters is also natural and flows really well. There’s never a moment where it feels like a cold read. Even in the cameos, you can tell the actors they brought in were giving it their all.
Overall, “Wreck-it-Ralph” is a real treat
It’s a love letter to gaming and manages to have something for everyone. It’s paced well. The animation is slick and lively. The voice performances are fully developed and realistic while still being light-hearted and approachable.
While the plot does have some predictable elements, the film makes up for it with lovable characters, subtle references, and below-the-radar jokes for the adults.
“Wreck-it-Ralph” is definitely a must-see film for both Disney fans and gamers, past and present.
