RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET
US, 2018, 112 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: John C.Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P Henson, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Alfred Molina, Ed O'Neill.
Directed by Phil Johnston, Rich More.
Wreck-it Ralph was a very popular animation film from Disney. Here is a sequel, Ralph doing a fair job of wrecking all kinds of things, including a threat to the Internet, in this series of adventures.
The theme of the film and the words and images pull an audience up. What would a children’s audience, 15 years ago, have made of this film? The growth of the Internet, youngsters relying on it, adults relying on it, the possibility of disruption and breakdown, all common themes today. So, what might Disney animation entertainment of 15 years time be like?
Ralph is at his arcade, still friends with Vennelope, their working on games and cars. With a mechanical breakdown, Ralph gets advice to go into the Internet and takes Vennelope with him. It is a bewildering world for him – though modern audiences will be reassured as they recognise all the names, brands, icons and devices – an extraordinary amount of product placement!
There are some interesting characters in the Internet world including the manager of the search engine, Mr Knowsmore, as well as Yess who works on algorithms for solutions. But, Vennelope meets Shank, champion driver, their befriending each other and Vennelope persuaded to join Shank in her racing enterprises – and Ralph, unfortunately, overhearing her comments to Shank and criticisms of Ralph.
Beware resentments in the Internet. While there is a very friendly character, J.P.Shanley who seems a wizard with all kinds of things, always helping out, Ralph is taken to see Double Dan who introduces him to a worm, a virus which could close down the Internet. It is not green with jealousy, but read with envy, feeding on all Ralph’s insecurities (of which there are many), gradually growing in size and strength, producing Ralph clones, the world of technology moving towards a disaster and closure.
Some reconciliation with Vennelope and talking of the truth and their discovering the nature of true friendship. Which means then that Ralph’s insecurities can disappear and the giant red monster can collapse – with the princesses of so many Disney films who have encountered Vennelope and discuss the nature of princesses banding together to catch Ralph as he falls.
John C Reilly is immensely cheerful as Ralph, Sarah Silverman a determined Vennelope, Gal Gadot a commanding heroine, Shank, Alfred Molina as Double Dan.
For those who love IT, there is a recommendation to sit through the final credits, not necessarily t credible o read all the names, but to be amazed at the extraordinary number of emojis, icons, pop-ups, signals that continually trail through the credits – and a preview of Frozen 2 with Ralph singing the theme song!
1. The popularity of Wreck-it Ralph?
2. The nature of the animation, bright style, colours, characters, action, IT?
3. The IT age, themes, from arcades and computer games to the range of the Internet, visuals, the brands?
4. The voices, fitting the characters, the characters from past films, the princesses? The musical score?
5. Ralph, his life, his friendship with Vennelope, the games, the breakdown, the owner of the arcade and his being busy? The developments of the car race, the breakdown, trying to get the replacement? Felix and his advice?
6. Ralph going into the Internet, taking Vennelope? The adventures? Naive, the bets, the numbers, the accountant and discovering they had to pay? The debt? Ralph and the videos, going viral, trying to find the money?
7. The discussions with Mr Knowsmore, the computer search engine? His speed, answers?
8. Vennelope, the cars, the encounter with Shank, her skills, friendship and advice? The discussions with Yess, the algorithms, supplying developments?
9. The IT world, the product placement, all the familiar signs, the emergencies, pop-ups…?
10. Vennelope and her exhilaration, working with Shank, confiding in her, comments about Ralph? His overhearing? His reactions?
11. The character of J.P. Shanley, listening in, inventive, providing solutions?
12. Going to Double Dan, sinister, the worms, infiltrating, corrupting the Internet?
13. Vennelope, her visit to the princesses – and the reminder of all the Disney princesses? The jokes? The later intervening to help Ralph and save his fall?
14. The glitch, the worm, the effect on Ralph, playing on his insecurities, the colour red, the worm infiltrating, the multiplication of the Ralph clones? Feeding on resentment? The rampage? The giant Ralph?
15. Ralph, having to come to terms with himself, eliminating the insecurity, destroying the giant Ralph?
16. The breaking of the medal, his finding the part, reconciliation with Vennelope, her participation in the games? His return home?
