Finally! A Wreck-IT Ralph sequel is here. This time around, Ralph Breaks the Internet and is once again voiced by one of my favorite actors John C. Reilly. Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, and Ed O’Neill reprise their roles, and new characters were added that take us beyond the arcade world to the www! I can’t say that I had the same feeling as I did for the first film. The sequel lacks in the music department, and maybe I still long for nostalgic video games. BUT this world is remarkable and significant, and there’s a lot to this story. We see Ralph extremely troubled and toxic to Vanellope and Vanellope second guesses their comfortable, predictable life within the walls of their video games. This film digs so deep it’s almost uncomfortable to see how low Ralph gets. But it’s a reality for many people. He’s sad, he’s lonely, and he’s depressed. It’s incredible how well this movie covers such an emotional spectrum and reaches audiences of all ages.
The closing song by Imagine Dragons is called “Zero.” Check out some of the lyrics:
I find it hard to say the things I want to say the most
Find a little bit of steady as I get close
Find a balance in the middle of the chaos
Send me low, send me high, send me never demigod
I remember walking in the cold of November
Hoping that I make it to the end of December
27 years and the end of my mind
But holding to the thought of another time
But looking to the ways at the ones before me
Looking for the path of the young and lonely
I don’t want to hear about what to do
I don’t want to do it just to do it for you
Hello, hello
Let me tell you what it’s like to be a zero, zero
Let me show you what it’s like to always feel, feel
Like I’m empty, and there’s nothing really real, real
I’m looking for a way out
Hello, hello
Let me tell you what it’s like to be a zero, zero
Let me show you what it’s like to never feel, feel
Like I’m good enough for anything that’s real, real
I’m looking for a way out
I find it hard to tell you how I want to run away
I understand it always makes you feel a certain way
I find a balance in the middle of the chaos
These words are heavy. This movie has a grander scheme, it’s a lot bigger than the last film with tons of emotions that maybe I wasn’t ready for.
This being said, there’s a ton to love about the film. Especially the messages of female empowerment- Women can genuinely do what they put their minds to, and this movie is spilling over with strong female characters. Whether it’s a princess who paves her own destiny or a race car driver who maneuvers the mean streets of “Slaughter Race”, or an algorithm from BuzzzTube, there are plenty of women who are inspiring and guiding one another.
Friendship is an active thread throughout both films. In this one, we see Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship at a crossroad. Ralph learns that he needs to support her dreams, even if it means going their separate ways. Throughout this journey through the web, Ralph realizes that Vanellope needs to fulfill her own destiny. We also can’t stifle our friendships. Friendships change, and we need to embrace it and to be honest with each other.
The scenery is stunning. The internet is spectacularly filled with opportunities, connections but unfortunately the bad comes with the good. Kids are growing up a complicated era, where “likes” and validation from strangers dictate the user’s self-worth. The shadiness of the internet is a reality and parents have to educate their children to the dangers of the web. It can be an evil place with trolls trying to bring people down, but we also have to embrace this powerful technology that has taught us a new way to communicate.
By far, the princesses were my favorite scene! Best cameos, ever! Vanellope accidentally runs into Disney Princesses when the group interrogates Vanellope on her validity as a princess, but Vanelloppe is left wondering if this wide-eyed group of women need psychological help. Vanellope inspires these iconic princesses that they can save a man’s ass!
Like the original Wreck-It-Ralph movie, there’s a ton of humor. Fix-it Felix and his wife Sergeant Calhoun take in 12 kids from the Candy Rush game when the pint-size players find themselves homeless. Ha! They even reveal secrets on how to be the perfect parent. But the real story is about Ralph and his insecurities. Vanelloppe was his first friend, and he was lost without her. Ralph learn a lot about himself; unfortunately, he had to learn things the hard way, but he also learned that real friendships will last the test of time.
All in all, I enjoyed Wreck-IT Ralph 2. It’s hard to live up to the expectations when you’re a sequel. But this film was unique with a ton of messages to take away from it. Maybe you’ll want to rethink your internet habits, or do some self-healing and reevaluate friendships!
