Wreck-It Ralph: A Cartoon with a Great Message

Directed by Rich Moore

“I’m bad, and that’s good! I will never be good, and that’s not bad! There’s no one I’d rather be, than me!”

Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph is an original, animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Under the refined direction of Rich Moore, this storyline flourishes. To summarize, it follows the lives of video game characters of Litwak’s Arcade who leave their in-game roles and socialize with each other when the place closes. The problem is founded when Wreck-It Ralph – the villain of the Fix-It Felix game – is less-than-interested in continuing as such. He comes to this conclusion after Felix received another gold medal for banishing the bad guy and is subsequently excluded from the game’s 30^th anniversary party. As his yearning for respect and companionship from his fellow acquaintances increases, Ralph’s pursuit of obtaining a gold medal becomes a detriment to him and to those around him.

We encounter a few different game worlds as the video game characters are introduced in the Game Central Station; the localized power strip that transports characters from one game to another. The station is filled with playful sets and recognizable characters; I’m talking about you, Bowser. Ralph finds his way in a warfare game known as Hero’s Duty, where he attempts to obtain a gold medal but ends up causing a major problem that Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun must resolve. The most tooth-rotting and undeniably sweetest world was the Sugar Rush racing game. With vibrant colors and oversized gum drops, this world characterizes the cutest inhabitants – one of them being a known glitch, Vanellope von Schweetz.

A few important messages are presented in the film. One about the importance of honor and sacrifice. It also discourages the idea that to be viewed as a hero, it should be less about outward approval or material things but rather the values that you hold. Technically, the film has well-developed characters, a solid plot, and good writing, which are the three necessities to the makings of a good film. John Reilly did a great job with the voice acting for Ralph. Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz truly embodied the energy of a young child. Jack McBryer depicted Felix’s temperament wonderfully and fittingly Jane Lynch voiced Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun. The voice acting also adds to the film as they matched the characters portrayed and provided much depth to the characters.

Wreck-It Ralph is an entertaining family film that everyone can enjoy. The children will love it, and the adults will connect deeply with it.

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