"Shouldn't it be, "Ralph *Wrecks* the Internet"?"

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Mini Non-Spoiler Review

[November 24th, 2018]

[PG, 1hr 52min, Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Internet]

It's been awhile since the last time I went out for a movie but I'm glad it was worth the journey since this is such an entertaining watch! Disney struck gold with the first as a surprisingly efficient game movie (based on a fictional game) with a successful throwback and tribute to the medium while venturing out on its own with a heartfelt storyline of friendship and family. Now in this second iteration they venture out into the limitless world of internet and they succeeds with aplomb to me as they use the new medium to their advantage while still restraining and holding themselves back to their advantage with a self contained narrative that still have the two protagonists front and center. Really enjoy the journey into the new universe but I become much more closer to these two ...

Internet is such a medium that is filled with possibilities that it will be detrimental in the hands of a less adept storyteller (a certain emoticon movie comes to mind) but the studio has proven themselves time and time again as one and they again shows their mettle by maneuvering skillfully around this vast presence, giving us a smart commentary on its many conveniences and user usage while still providing satisfying fan services throughout the film. The friendship between Ralph and Vanellope is at the crux of everything as they bravely venture online to save the latter's game but understandably stumbles once and twice as they race against time to do so. I understand their decision to focus the film only at one particular segment of the internet because I become so invested in the two friends' dependence on each other and how this event and introduction of a new element (Slaughter Race and Shank) is straining them and begin to tear them apart. The setting and variable is different but the relationship is thankfully still front and center, giving us a reason to watch this movie as more than just an entertaining journey online but a story about the value of friendship and how it fares under the test of ordeal.

How they brought internet to life is such a beautiful thing to behold and I will gladly watch this time and time again to find all the Easter Eggs and online properties that are included while the commentary once again I want to emphasize are brilliant, on how the internet users and even the process are portrayed. That specific detour to the online Disney World actually makes sense in the narrative and while it provides an opportunity for studio to make a brilliant commentary on themselves and specifically the Princesses, it helps von Schweetz to have a moment of realisation and actually have her own unique song number! It was really such a gem ... Oh, I want to highlight how great Gal Gadot's character is since she has quite a big role, bigger than I first thought.

Watch it if you want to be entertained with a smart kid(?)'s film. As I've said before, I've watched Peanuts and Paddington movies by myself and I really enjoy them, despite me not being a youth anymore. You don't have to watch the first one but it helps tremendously to understand the two leads and their relationship. I can really feel the chemistry between John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman and since they based the characters' models and expressions on them directly, I can really feel the humanity in them coming through. I hope you can feel it too.

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P.S. That meta commentary of content creator though ... Black Nerd Andre was right! That's gotta hurt!
P.P.S. It's a little unconventional without any real villain for them to confront but rather smartly having to fight themselves in more ways than one
P.P.S. That ending scene is actually really heartwarming and profound. The struggle is simple but it feels so deep ...
P.P.P.S. Who comes to the rescue at the end is definitely Disney's way to test drive a possible spinoff! I can only hope so but I know they are millions of young demography that will want these role models to all team up in one film dedicated to them!