Ralph Breaks the Internet Review — Worth a click in spite of itself.

I will confess that Wreck-it Ralph has never been my favorite animated Disney character. He’s sweet but not compelling, and I was never into retro video games. In fact, I’m not into current video games either (one of the many repercussions of not having kids), so when I went to screen Ralph Breaks the Internet, I was prepared to be less than enamored.

I should have known better. I AM into the internet. I’m also into originality and parody, and Ralph Breaks the Internet has  Thanksgiving sized portions of both. So much so that I can almost forgive it its overindulgence in social media, internet marketing, trending and likes. The viewers on the younger and older ends of the demographic spectrum aren’t really into that as much as the filmmakers would hope.

The too cool for school inside internet schtick can slide right by though, as the plot and characters develop. And the  scenes where Sugar Rush racer Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) inserts herself into the world of Disney Princesses (many of them voiced by the original stars) is worth the price of admission alone.

Vanellope and Ralph (John C. Reilly) happen upon the princess and others as they journey into the internet in an effort to save Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. The details are far too complicated to summarize, but a site called “BuzzzTube” plays a big part. YouTube addicts will find this hilarious.

It’s the underlying themes make the movie for me. Ralph Breaks the Internet is about making new friends while keeping old ones, without sacrificing one for the other, and all the while being cognizant of one’s own personal needs. How many times have we made decisions based on our friends’ wants and needs, rather than our own? I’m hoping that message will sink in.

Even if it doesn’t, Ralph Breaks the Internet will charm you and take your mind off the extraordinary amounts of cares that are vexing us all these days. That, too, is worth the price of admission.

Rated PG

1 Hour 54 Minutes

If this Ralph Breaks the Internet review compels you to see it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Ralph Breaks the Internet Review — Worth a click in spite of itself.