Post by Donald Duck on Nov 2, 2012 18:17:32 GMT -8
Warning: This review contains massive spoilers. I'd say you should only read this after you watch the movie.
Is this movie a new high score or a total wreck?
Highs
Lows
ZANGIEF IS NOT A BAD GUY.
Once you get over that big error, this movie's a 1-Up for sure!
There's only one thing that comes close to surpassing my love for Disney, and it's video games. I am a proud gamer, and to this day I wish there were more arcades out there. Remember them? They were just absolute kings! Yet, it seems they're now only restricted to the odd movie theater, family party centers, and the like. (Or, depending on where you live, they're simply not found anywhere.)
When I first learned about this movie a few years ago, when it was titled Reboot Ralph, I was curious yet cautious. Then the name changed to Wreck-It Ralph, and the details were leaked. I turned cautiously optimistic. Then I watched the first five minutes (mostly through animatics) at the 2011 D23 Expo, and I was hooked. I became excited. With actual video game characters mingling in a Disney movie, it simply became the gamer's dream come true: the Who Framed Roger Rabbit of video games.
Finally, the movie is released, and I watched it. What's my verdict? While it isn't as mind-meltingly kickass as I wished, it's still a very good movie. While it is firmly placed in the 2010's, it follows the most important philosophy from Walt Disney, concerning Disney movies: for every laugh, there should be a tear. It might be hard to imagine that a movie featuring cameos from Bowser, Zangief, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Dig-Dug could get my heart to feel so warm. But this is where Ralph shines best.
The video game cameos never become gratuitous, which was a concern of mine. There are plenty of hilarious nudges and winks to gamers that have no bearing on the plot, but they're done carefully and in good taste. In fact, some cameos are outright hilarious. Of course, the cameos do vanish for much of the third act, and while that makes sense from a story perspective, my inner fanboy craved for at least one Dirk the Daring cameo. Not all of your favorite arcade/video game characters will appear. Set realistic expectations.
The characters are great, and really come off as realized, fleshed-out people, at least, for the most part. Ralph is just a big, lovable klutz. Right of the bat, you feel for him. Just because he's the bad guy of his respective arcade game, "Fix-It Felix Jr.," nobody wants anything to do with him outside of work. That must suck, and it does! John C. Reilly leads the cavalcade of great voice talent. He was perfect for Ralph.
I'm relieved that Felix isn't a villain, which is what I feared when I first learned about the story. Felix is the gentle, bashful supporting role, and it was a no-brainer to cast Jack McBrayer as him. Jane Lynch has always been awesome, so getting her to voice the hardass Calhoun, was a capital idea. In fact, it's the scenes with Felix and Calhoun together that gets some of the biggest laughs.
I think Sarah Silverman was perfect for the role of Vanellope von Schweetz. The character did come off as excruciatingly annoying as intended, but, for me, she ultimately became more sympathetic. Your mileage may vary, though.
I was completely surprised by how much I grew to like the character King Candy. I didn't expect to be taken so much by him, but the guy is if the Mad Hatter was a villain. Evidently, an animator confirmed that the Mad Hatter from 1951's Alice in Wonderland was a model for him. If that's not enough, King Candy is voiced by stellar actor, Alan Tudyk, who does a remarkable impersonation of Ed Wynn. I know it sounds candy corny, but it really is like King Candy is serving as a vessel for Ed Wynn's spirit. As a villain, Candy is kooky and flamboyant, yet devious and manipulative. Definitely one of the best Disney films this decade, in my humble opinion.
Edit: Yeah, it's pretty much confirmed. Tudyk said in an interview that the basis of King Candy's voice was an Ed Wynn impression. Not that there was any doubt.
There are glitches, though, and not just as a plot device. The movie spends way too much time in Sugar Rush. Hero's Duty is glossed over rather quickly, yet the majority of the film is spent in the candy land. While cool at first, by forty or so minutes later I was growing restless, and wanted the movie to just change the frickin' location already. That didn't happen, of course.
Also, while the movie is very funny, it unfortunately has too many scatological jokes. I don't mind the very occasional body function joke, but if it exceeds five or so times within ten minutes then it really does annoy me. Then again, considering that the bulk of these crappy jokes (if you'll excuse the pun) come from a little girl, I guess it makes sense... but no less distasteful.
Wreck-It Ralph may not actually be the mind-boggingly epic love letter I wished, but it's definitely worth your quarters. It's a funny, touching, and exciting movie. You might be a little lost if you're not a big gamer, but I recommend it regardless.
... Hey. I just realized. Sonic and Eggman are in this movie. Exactly what arcade game were they in? I only remember them from home consoles...
****/***** (4 out of 5)
Is this movie a new high score or a total wreck?
Highs
- Charming, lovable characters with pitch-perfect voice acting
- Genuinely touching, heartfelt story
- Funny
- Kickass video game references and cameos
- Great villain
- Excellent climax
- The visual style is varied and excellent, and the score is perfect
Lows
- Too many fecal jokes (potty humor)
- Too much time is spent in Sugar Rush; it made me feel restless and wanting to see new locales, and was disappointed to see none
- Zangief is NOT a bad guy
ZANGIEF IS NOT A BAD GUY.
Once you get over that big error, this movie's a 1-Up for sure!
There's only one thing that comes close to surpassing my love for Disney, and it's video games. I am a proud gamer, and to this day I wish there were more arcades out there. Remember them? They were just absolute kings! Yet, it seems they're now only restricted to the odd movie theater, family party centers, and the like. (Or, depending on where you live, they're simply not found anywhere.)
When I first learned about this movie a few years ago, when it was titled Reboot Ralph, I was curious yet cautious. Then the name changed to Wreck-It Ralph, and the details were leaked. I turned cautiously optimistic. Then I watched the first five minutes (mostly through animatics) at the 2011 D23 Expo, and I was hooked. I became excited. With actual video game characters mingling in a Disney movie, it simply became the gamer's dream come true: the Who Framed Roger Rabbit of video games.
Finally, the movie is released, and I watched it. What's my verdict? While it isn't as mind-meltingly kickass as I wished, it's still a very good movie. While it is firmly placed in the 2010's, it follows the most important philosophy from Walt Disney, concerning Disney movies: for every laugh, there should be a tear. It might be hard to imagine that a movie featuring cameos from Bowser, Zangief, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Dig-Dug could get my heart to feel so warm. But this is where Ralph shines best.
The video game cameos never become gratuitous, which was a concern of mine. There are plenty of hilarious nudges and winks to gamers that have no bearing on the plot, but they're done carefully and in good taste. In fact, some cameos are outright hilarious. Of course, the cameos do vanish for much of the third act, and while that makes sense from a story perspective, my inner fanboy craved for at least one Dirk the Daring cameo. Not all of your favorite arcade/video game characters will appear. Set realistic expectations.
The characters are great, and really come off as realized, fleshed-out people, at least, for the most part. Ralph is just a big, lovable klutz. Right of the bat, you feel for him. Just because he's the bad guy of his respective arcade game, "Fix-It Felix Jr.," nobody wants anything to do with him outside of work. That must suck, and it does! John C. Reilly leads the cavalcade of great voice talent. He was perfect for Ralph.
I'm relieved that Felix isn't a villain, which is what I feared when I first learned about the story. Felix is the gentle, bashful supporting role, and it was a no-brainer to cast Jack McBrayer as him. Jane Lynch has always been awesome, so getting her to voice the hardass Calhoun, was a capital idea. In fact, it's the scenes with Felix and Calhoun together that gets some of the biggest laughs.
I think Sarah Silverman was perfect for the role of Vanellope von Schweetz. The character did come off as excruciatingly annoying as intended, but, for me, she ultimately became more sympathetic. Your mileage may vary, though.
I was completely surprised by how much I grew to like the character King Candy. I didn't expect to be taken so much by him, but the guy is if the Mad Hatter was a villain. Evidently, an animator confirmed that the Mad Hatter from 1951's Alice in Wonderland was a model for him. If that's not enough, King Candy is voiced by stellar actor, Alan Tudyk, who does a remarkable impersonation of Ed Wynn. I know it sounds candy corny, but it really is like King Candy is serving as a vessel for Ed Wynn's spirit. As a villain, Candy is kooky and flamboyant, yet devious and manipulative. Definitely one of the best Disney films this decade, in my humble opinion.
Edit: Yeah, it's pretty much confirmed. Tudyk said in an interview that the basis of King Candy's voice was an Ed Wynn impression. Not that there was any doubt.
There are glitches, though, and not just as a plot device. The movie spends way too much time in Sugar Rush. Hero's Duty is glossed over rather quickly, yet the majority of the film is spent in the candy land. While cool at first, by forty or so minutes later I was growing restless, and wanted the movie to just change the frickin' location already. That didn't happen, of course.
Also, while the movie is very funny, it unfortunately has too many scatological jokes. I don't mind the very occasional body function joke, but if it exceeds five or so times within ten minutes then it really does annoy me. Then again, considering that the bulk of these crappy jokes (if you'll excuse the pun) come from a little girl, I guess it makes sense... but no less distasteful.
Wreck-It Ralph may not actually be the mind-boggingly epic love letter I wished, but it's definitely worth your quarters. It's a funny, touching, and exciting movie. You might be a little lost if you're not a big gamer, but I recommend it regardless.
... Hey. I just realized. Sonic and Eggman are in this movie. Exactly what arcade game were they in? I only remember them from home consoles...
****/***** (4 out of 5)
