WRECK-IT RALPH surely is the greatest film to ever feature Skrillex. First off, a song from the music industry's favorite dubstep enthusiast features into the animated feature: an extremely hectic beat-pounding pulse called "Bug Rush", which excellently matches with a sequence of sci-fi violence and goofy pratfalls. Secondly, and more importantly, the electronica composer with the weird long hair mohawk actually is featured into the plot, somehow made from computer coding to be the guest DJ to an anniversary party inside an arcade cabinet. He must have done this gig just for the money, since Skrillex lays Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" on to the turntables for the gullible backward-thinking 80's video game characters. Or, he did it to get the chance to hang out with Pac-Man over some shrimp cocktails and martinis.
This film is so full of pulling oddball surprises on to the viewer. Even when the comedy follows the kids' film road-map of cliches, such as exclamations about excrement, the jokes go into different turns of emotion responses, from anti-humor to heartfelt. It doesn't even rely on coasting by with just video game humor, though the in-jokes are fantastically hilarious for any avid gamer. The makers knew that the story needs to strike a chord beyond all of the pixels, control-sticks, and whatever famous game characters they can acquire for cameos. WRECK-IT RALPH does this, making for one of absolute best films of the year.
John C. Reilly is given the arduous task of playing a man who is doomed to forever live in the shadows instead of the spotlight. The character actor voices the titled character, a Donkey Kong-inspired goon who spends every day of his arcade life wrecking a video game tower until the player and the hero Fix-It Felix Jr. save the day with the power of a repairing hammer. After thirty years of constant plunges off rooftops, living in a garbage dump of bricks, and sucking up quarters, the bad guy does not want to be the bad guy anymore. Since respect comes from an awarded golden medal in his game, Ralph decides to jump into other games to find one. Of course, his actions bring forth many dangers, such as the hardcore one life policy once a character ventures outside their personal control boards. He tangles up all of the foreign lands he enters, causing dangerous environmental changes, all the while leaving his own game at the risk of being "unplugged" and forever destroyed.
I know I'm making a big deal explaining this simple TOY STORY-like story with highly broad terms but that's just how effective the film had on myself, filling me with uncontrollable glee and rapture. Similar to the also amazingly animated PARANORMAN, it stresses the message of acceptance and being proud of oneself instead of what others think of you. Ralph doesn't have to carry this heavyweight moral by himself, getting needed support from his sidekick Vanellope von Schweetz, the Bugs Bunny to his Elmer Fudd. This darling orphan with messy candy-sticking hair, voiced by comedian Sarah Silverman, is a glitched character in the world of "Sugar Rush", a Mario Kart racing game overflowing with sugary delights and candy citizens. She is dubbed "a mistake", a person whose existence is despised by the shallow racers due to her ability to send the arcade game into repairs if she were to participate in the racing. Both find some comfort and camaraderie within one another, while hiding away from the donut policemen and their Devil Dogs sent out by the Snagglepuss-sounding King Candy (Alan Tudyk). They are certainly the warmth of the film, which eventually escalates to a predictable but shockingly heartbreaking moment that might lead you to tears.
It's quite obvious that Reilly's performance is to be the most underrated of the film. As the endearing hobo-looking "villain", he always comes off as a charming hero-in-training, highlighted significantly in the great climax. Silverman does wonder with a performance that could have ruined the viewer's ears; Vanellope's sweet-turned-screeching voice never feels out of place, matching up with the plucky attitude the character has amid a harsh community. The ones who steal the show of course have to be the "heroes"; Jack McBrayer plays the Mario-like Felix Jr. as the generic, righteous and polite protagonist he is supposed to exude. The guy always look on the bright side of life, jumping and bouncing along, never able to feel or have a negative thought. He often plays off the reactions of Sergeant Calhoun, a tough Samus-meets-Master Chief female space warrior from a light-gun game called "Hero's Duty". Voiced by the always pleasurable Jane Lynch, she spouts out boisterous action quips ("Doomsday and Armageddon just had a baby!") while harboring "the most tragic back story ever programmed". These two have the best interplays together, including one of the funniest gags of the entire film, and were clearly the favorites of the animators.
Rich Moore, an animated television journeyman known for his work on Matt Groening-created shows, makes an excellent entrance into the world of film directing. Coupled with the script from Jennifer Lee and Phil Johnston, they craft an unique take on the ever-popular "video games are real" scenario. The details are so incredibly striking, from the different animations and textures the characters have (beings from the 80's move with sprite tics, newer games have high definition models) to the set-pieces and backgrounds (the arcade connecting hub world is a surge protector turned train station, windows and food spills are pixelated) to the brief moments in the real world (attendance at the arcade is way down, unwashed dweebs hog up the big games with a roll of quarters). The worlds each have their own special designs but due to probable budget reasons, the bulk of the story takes place solely in "Sugar Rush".
I could find only a few faults with the film. There are a lot, a lot of puns in the punchlines, somehow able to actually spark laughter instead of inciting bitter anger. The problem is this love of puns backfires a major dramatic side of the picture: Throughout the film, the word "turbo" is used as slang, referring to someone who is so fueled by their immense pride that he/she will deliberately glitch out another game due to their neglect. This term is first used by M. Bison, a character from the Street Fighter games, a series that had a major sequel called Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The slight chuckle it spawned turned into slight confusion for myself when the term continued to be used seriously. This is only a super nerdy problem for the hardcore video game fans, though, as others will never have to think twice. However, everyone will notice the odd product placement; I can forgive the appearances of Mentos and Nesquik but the random stare at a Subway cup is sheer dumb. It is really bewildering that Disney needed to resort to these tactics, even though the creators work around them into the proceedings.
I have exalted WRECK-IT RALPH for so long now, I think you get that the picture is an attractive engagement for anyone. There is only a few things left to speak about: the film's music is suitable and appropriate but the encore credits song "Sugar Rush", performed by the humongous Japanese girl group AKB48, is a real hidden treat. The film comes with a Disney short called Paperman. The animation is intriguing (a combination of hand-drawn and computer) and the SCHINDLER'S LIST color scheme is fun but the cute love story is sadly better suited for a television commercial. Also, if you call yourself a true gamer, you will stay for the humorous stinger.
FINAL REVIEW: 5 / 5
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