Disney
scores again with the winningly amusing and original new animated
feature “Wreck It Ralph,” its best animated feature this year and
featuring numerous cameos from a number of popular video game
characters. Though it’s geared for the kids, it’s likely to stir many
good memories for adults. Ralph (John C. Reilly) is tired of being
overshadowed by Fix-It Felix (Jack McBrayer), the "good guy" star of
their game who always gets to save the day. But after decades doing the
same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph has had enough of
being the bad guy. He sets off on a game-hopping journey across the
arcade through a myriad of different video games to show he’s a true
hero. On his quest, he meets the
tough-as-nails
Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the game Hero's Duty and feisty
glitch Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated
cart racing game, Sugar Rush, all of whom are threatened when a deadly
“cybug” is unleashed that threatens the entire arcade. Directed by “The
Simpsons” animator Rich Moore in his feature debut, “Wreck It Ralph”
finds itself in a unique position, with a better story, animation and
characters than Pixar’s recent effort, the dull “Brave” from earlier
this year. The funny and vastly entertaining “Ralph” is too long and as
typical with some of these efforts, some of the humor (not to mention
all the video game references) will probably be lost on the young ones,
but there’s still a lot to like. Reilly is perfect as Ralph, as is
McBrayer and especially Lynch as the tough Calhoun, a genuine feminist
video game hero. On the downside, it becomes a little confusing as the
characters pop from game to
game, and slightly annoying in the Sugar Rush game (though that may be
the point), and comedian Silverman, while fun, also may rub against the
nerves a little. But overall, it’s a great, fast-paced effort, with
many unique touches to make it appear video-game-esque, not to mention
all the amusing video game character cameos, from Bowser (“Super Mario
Bros”), to Pac Man and company, Q-bert, Frogger, Dig Dug and many
others. The enjoyable and energetic “Wreck It Ralph” is one of Disney’s
better recent animated films and also includes a pleasant
black-and-white animated short “Paperman.”
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