For those of you who've missed any of the animated features or studio-distributed films from Disney's Mouse House (Marvel and Star Wars included) in the last decade, don't fret. Just about all of them are jammed into Ralph Breaks the Internet, the creative, funny, and imaginative follow-up to Disney's own 2012 feature Wreck-It Ralph. That story centers on an arcade "bad guy" who grows tired of his "role" in his game and wants self-respect; ditto a go-kart racer, Vanellope Von Schweetz, a system "glitch" that becomes Ralph's best friend. What Roger Rabbit was for classic cartoons, Ralph is for classic (and current) arcade/video games, and the film contained many clever references and cameos of such.
In the new film, Ralph and Vanellope's friendship is developed and deepened as they journey out of the arcade (where three different games were primarily represented in the first film) and into the newly-plugged-in world of "Wifi" to find a spare part for Vanellopee's game. Along the way, they encounter a host of colorful and diverse characters, like the quirky Knowsmore (Disney's go-to voice Alan Tudyk), "Slaughter Race" driver Shank (a scene-stealing Gal Gadot, brilliant), pop-up ad J.P. Spamley (an uncredited Bill Hader), "dark net" slug Double Dan (Alfred Molina), and BuzzTube algorithm Yesss (Taraji P. Henson, killing it). And just wait 'til you see the Disney princesses (yes, all eleven of those Disney princesses!), plus the most unexpected Disney showtune in history.
However, Ralph Breaks the Internet isn't as overwhelmed with pop-culture references and Disney-owned properties as the trailers would have you think. Why? Because the central relationship and story involving Ralph and Vanellope's friendship drives the action, and into a bigger world. A more exciting, more unpredictable, and even more dangerous world.
The references are arguably there to cleverly represent the social media world we currently live in (a perfect showcase of a movie and story), and not merely as product plugs. And hey, any movie that references TRON (creatively and brilliantly) gets a pass in my book. Still, some may wonder how the filmmakers got the rights and money (almost, if not more, on par with Marvel) to include every mind-blowing reference and clever cameo appearance imaginable here. "It's so big, it goes on forever," says one character. The result is out of this world, both as a visual marvel (pardon the expression) and as a moviegoing experience. (Yeah, you heard me, Ready Player One.)
And a quite touching one, at that.
While the first film touched on the negative impact of selfish ambition (i.e., cheating one's way to victory), including how it influences and even twists the world around it, it also developed characters who were more than they were perceived as ("bad guys" or "glitches" in games), and that said characters could make a difference just by being themselves, embracing their imperfections, and realizing they needed friendship and love instead of medals and fame.
Internet puts an emphasis, once again, on identity and purpose ("If I'm not a racer, then what am I," says Vanellope, who grows tired of conformity and a predictable life), and also on constant change, including each person's own dreams and ambitions, while still maintaining what's important. Ralph, well-meaning as he is, struggles this time around--again, in a much bigger (and uncertain) world--with letting go of what he loves, and with letting his own insecurities affect everything around him, including the harsh idea of forcing others to "like" you or not leave. "This place can bring out the worst in some people," says Yesss, referring, perhaps, not just to the negative comments that people can make online, one of many "dark areas" on such a journey.
"All friendships change," says Shank, to a concerned Vanellope. "But the good ones, they grow stronger because of it." Ralph Breaks the Internet may be the most reference-jammed feature film as of late, not to mention one of the best times I've had at the movies lately. But I'm glad it doesn't sacrifice genuine heartstrings and worthwhile morals to be so. And if that's not truly out-of-this-world, then I don't know what is.
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