On Feb. 6, Walt Disney Animation Studios released three stills from its upcoming movie “Wreck-It Ralph,” which provide a better look at the animated film’s subject, a nostalgic look at video arcades and their characters.
“Wreck-It Ralph” centers on the character of Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly, “Talladega Nights”) and his world of 8-bit video games. Ralph is the antagonist in his “Rampage” style classic arcade game, here called “Fix-It Felix, Jr.” In the game, Ralph is programmed to be a destructive force. He attempts to break out of this bad-guy role as the bad guy by visiting other video-game worlds.
Disney’s movie stills of “Wreck-It Ralph” feature three key scenes in Ralph’s larger world. Collectively, the three images Disney has released for “Wreck-It Ralph” illustrate the diverse styles the film may employ to show off multiple video-game universes
In the first image, Ralph is pictured on his pile of rubble, looking at the building that it’s his job to destroy in “Fix-It Felix, Jr.” He, of course, faces opposition from the game’s hero (Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock”).
Then there are the alternate universes where Ralph feels he might break out the constraints of villainy. At the D23 Expo, where “Wreck It Ralph” rough footage was screened and a mock video of "Fix-It Felix, Jr." displayed, Disney and director Rich Moore (“The Simpsons,” “Futurama”) explained Ralph enters different video games in an attempt to achieve his dream.
One of the worlds Ralph visits is “Hero’s Duty," a sci-fi, first-person shooter game reminiscent of “Halo." The game focuses on a platoon of soldiers, including Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch, “Glee”) who battle mutant Cy-Bugs to save their universe. Ralph hopes it will be perfect for an aspiring hero.
The “Hero’s Duty” world is a much darker, different place and animation style than what’s found in the still of “Sugar Rush.” The latter is brightly colored, a world of edible sweets that features candy go-karts raced and characters such as Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program”). Think Candyland as a video game.
According to the press release for “Wreck-It Ralph,” Ralph discovers his experience in “Hero’s Duty” has infected “Sugar Rush” in such a way that threatens the whole arcade. Will this danger will allow Ralph to become the hero he longs to be?
“Wreck-It Ralph” can be seen on a bigger-than-video screen on Nov. 2, 2012. It will be released on Disney Digital 3D in select theaters.
Pittsburgh movie-goers will be able to see the film at these mainstream theaters, which have Disney Digital 3D screening capabilities: AMC Loews Waterfront 22, SouthSide Works Cinema and Waterworks Cinema 10. Look for locations and movie tickets available for online purchase at Fandango.
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