Wreck-It Ralph is one of the best films we’ve seen all year. It’s a cracking family movie and one that pays homage to the wonderful world of video games – new and old.
But why is it worth watching, who the hell is Ralph and which well-known game characters feature? Read on to find out.
Title: Wreck-It Ralph
Platform: Cinema
Genre: Family/action/adventure
Certificate: PG
Release Date: February 8th 2013 (UK), Out now (US)
Reviewer: Dom Sacco
Ever wondered what happens when you switch off Street Fighter? Or what Bowser does after Mario saves the princess (again)? “Don’t be stupid”, you might be thinking. “Nothing happens.”
In our world, yes, but in the world of Wreck-It Ralph, Ryu and Ken go for a beer. Bowser attends a Bad Guys Anonymous meeting. And Ralph slumps off to his pile of rubble.
We would say Ralph and his friends live on after their arcade cabinet is switched off, but the trouble is, Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) doesn’t have any friends. He’s the villain of Fix-It Felix Junior – a Donkey Kong-style retro arcade game where Felix (voiced by Jack McBrayer) must repair windows after Ralph smashes them with his impossibly-sized hands.
So off he sulks, day after day, doing a job he doesn’t enjoy (he obviously hasn’t commuted on the London Underground every day – he’d probably appreciate his job more if so). One day he decides he doesn’t want to be the bad guy anymore. So he ‘game jumps’ to another arcade in order to become a hero.
It’s a classic Disney ‘going through changes’ movie full of endearing characters, scenes exploding with colour and charm, and a few twists for good measure. We genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.
It must also be said that Walt Disney Animation Studios has done a sterling job here (we know, Disney in ‘good film that isn’t by Pixar’ shocker).
Anyway, how much does the film focus on gaming? Well, this is what’s so great about Wreck It Ralph – it doesn’t try to shoehorn in video game references to appeal to gamers, like Scott Pilgrim does. It doesn’t have to. It’s a great family film first, with a video game setting second.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t video game references, of course. Zangief, M.Bison, Bowser, Dr Robotnik and the Pac-Man ghosts feature in the Bad Guys Anonymous meeting. Sonic offers some advice in the movie’s hub, Game Central, which connects all the arcades. And Qbert makes a minor appearance.
Even dubstep DJ Skrillex makes a cameo, whose music is increasingly used in game trailers and is perfectly suited to Wreck-It Ralph’s own first-person shooter – Hero’s Duty. It’s like a Halo/Gears of War hybrid full of brutish space marines, giant bugs and possibly the film’s finest minor character in Calhoun (superbly voiced by Glee’s Jane Lynch and pictured below). She’s a hard-nut army leader and the human player’s guide in Hero’s Duty, which we have to say, is just brilliant.
There’s one scene which follows a suited and booted Ralph as he blunders his way across the battlefield, desperately trying to follow Calhoun’s orders, while bumping into the human player’s first-person cam (excellently represented to the in-game characters as a monitor trundling along on wheels). It’s a hilarious scene and a pleasing portrayal of the inner workings of a first-person shooter.
Fair play to Disney – it’s done the hard work. It’s struck deals with game publishers to get their official characters featured in the game – AND it’s done its homework by having fun with typical video game genres and content.
Fix-It Felix Junior has even been made into a real game (you can get it on your iPhone here – or the full Wreck-It Ralph game for 69p with loads of other levels here). And that kind of willingness from Disney to create a movie that really respects gaming is a very welcome delight – as is the movie itself.
There’s a strong theme of friendship in Wreck-It Ralph too, which like many good friendships out there, is unlikely, warm and at times heart-wrenching. Vanellope (voiced by Sarah Silverman) is a lovable little pain in the neck who has a hidden talent. But we won’t say anymore, other than to watch it for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
Verdict
If you like Disney or animated movies, you will absolutely love Wreck It Ralph.
And if you’re a gamer, well, you’re in for an extra tasty treat. With a bunch of Pac-Man cherries on top.
Unmissable.
10/10
Pros: Highly entertaining feel-good family flick, endearing characters, gorgeous visuals, plenty of video game references.
Cons: If you’re in the UK you’re going to have to wait a while to see it.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
I love how all the characters are involved in the movie. Like dr eggman for example 🙂