This past November the 8 bit arcade universe, hit the hi-def 3D universe at theatres everywhere. Now available on Blu-Ray 3D, Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital Copy in an Ultimate Collector's Edition, "Wreck-It Ralph" is a hilarious of friendship ad rising above yourself when you need a change in life, just want to feel better about yourself and really know who you are.
Our hero Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is a career long arcade game villain who 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. However after decades doing the same thing and seeing all the glory go to Felix, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of a bad guy. He takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a game-hopping journey across the arcade through every generation of video games to prove he's got what it takes to be a hero. On his quest, he meets the tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) from the first-person action game Hero’s Duty. But it’s the feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart racing game Sugar Rush, whose world is threatened when Ralph accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens the entire arcade. Will Ralph realize his dream and save the day before it’s too late?
The question that a lot of people will be asking themselves at the end of “Wreck-It Ralph” is who enjoyed the film more; the kids or the video gaming adults who watched it with them? Never has something so wildly energetic with such a stunning blend of old school and new school looks also been as heartfelt and sweet as we follow our hero who is simply looking to be the good guy, if only once and have someone call him their friend. Rich Moore coming into his first feature length job after a lengthy career on animated shows like “Futurama” was an excellent choice given the high energy feel of the script that kept moving and grooving at every single turn hitting the audience with its fair share of pop culture gaming references or simply wonderful eye popping visuals. Kudos has to go to the entire team at Disney on this one as the blend of old school and new school graphics were out of this world as these misfits adventures casts such a wide net over the audience. Certainly nothing that we haven’t seen before but made incredibly fun, thanks to a wonderful ensemble cast.
As our hero Ralph, John C Reilly brought his everyman charm to the role making Ralph, not relatable but likable as we have all had our down moments from the playground to the boardroom where any of us have felt like we were alone in the world, and no matter what your age from 8-80 at one time or another in our lives we have all felt like Ralph and that really is what makes his adventure so darn enjoyable. The casting of the always loveable Jack McBrayer as his ‘nemesis’ Felix was simply perfect as you can’t help but like the guy and when we see him go above and beyond for Ralph to make everything right, not only in their game but in the arcade universe you find yourself cheering for these characters in a way that we haven’t seen in a Disney film since the gang in the toy box won our hearts so many years ago. Sarah Silverman almost steals the proceedings as Vanellope the ‘glitch’ in the Sugar Rush racing game who simply wants to get in the race to find some meaning in her life and Jane Lynch as Sergeant Calhoun from the intense first person shooter who has her heart melted from the most unlikely of sources, making for a widely entertaining cast of characters for us all to get behind and route for at every turn.
Picture and sound on the Blu-Ray are first rate as expected and the special features include the Academy Award winning animated short "Paperman", "Bit By Bit: Creating the worlds of Wreck-It Ralph" an in-depth look at all the worlds of the film with those who created it. A special Disney Intermission hosted by Chris Hardwick as a gamers guide to film, deleted and alternate scenes, as well as original commercials for the games "Fix-It Felix Jr., Hero's Duty and Sugar Rush. The combo pack also includes a digital copy and the 3D versions of the film as well as the "Paperman" short.
With “Wreck-It Ralph’s” blend of old school nostalgia, and steam punk frenetic family flavor action, there’s only one thing that is truly for certain at the end of this film, and that is that anyone who brings it home will have a hell of a lot of fun.
4 out of 5 stars.
"Wreck-It Ralph" is now available to rent on all formats at video stores and via on demand services everywhere. You can also find it for purchase at all major retailers like HMV, iTunes or amazon.ca.
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