We were thrilled to bits last year to be invited by Disney to see the film premiere of their latest animation Wreck-It Ralph, in Disneyland Paris no less. The trip was the highlight of our year and the film – totally and utterly brilliant. It’s out in UK cinemas today.
Full of humour, emotion and nostalgia, Wreck-It Ralph appeals to all ages and will make a fabulous half-term treat. The film works because the characters have depth and ultimately it is believable.We were blown away by the stunning animation and a compelling and unpredictable storyline that really will leave you on the edge of your seat.
So what’s it all about?
Wreck-It Ralph is a funny, arcade-game-hopping animated adventure that tells the story of Ralph, an arcade game villain. Ralph is tired of always playing the bad guy and wants to change his image. For years he has felt overshadowed by Fix-It-Felix Jr., who plays the good guy in his game and always gets to save the day.
Ralph is left feeling unappreciated, after thirty years in an old 1980s game, and makes the decision to leave his game and travel across the arcade in search of a medal to prove his worth. He meets action-game game star Sergeant Calhoun of Hero’s Duty, and misfit Venellope von Schweetz from the cart-racing game Sugar Rush, in his quest to prove he has what it takes to be a hero.
But soon the entire arcade is under threat and Ralph is left facing his toughest challenge yet. Will Ralph be able to change his destiny? Where will his journey take him? You’ll have to wait and see the film.
A film based around four different worlds
The idea behind Wreck-It Ralph is incredibly original. It took three and a half years to make, and from the level of detail that goes into the animation, and the several layers that exist in its very strong storyline, it not difficult to see why.
What I found most impressive about this film is the fact that it consists of four totally different arcade-game worlds. We were lucky enough to meet one of the producers who explained the four different worlds within the film.
The 8-bit world of Fix-It Felix Jr., is based on the classic 80s arcade game era. Its simplified, angular characters are based on the concept of squares.
This contrasts with the next world Hero’s Duty, which is a modern, first-person shooter game set in a crazy, hostile, enemy-infested world. It is hard, sharp-edged and dark and based on triangles, which gives the environment it’s dangerous, sharp feel.
The next world, Sugar Rush, is completely different again. Without doubt my favourite world, it is a sticky-sweet kids’ cart-racing game from the 1990s set in a world made entirely from candy.
Clouds are made from cotton-candy, trees from lollipops and even the dust on the ground is cocoa powder. There are candy-cane forests, gumdrop trees and tumbleweed made out of caramel. It is simply exceptional. Cute and colourful, everything in the world is soft and curved and based on the concept of circles. I was wowed by it.
The fourth world is Game Central Station, inspired by Grand Central Station in New York. It is where characters assemble when gameplay is over and bustling with activity. The characters meet and mingle and can travel along cables to each other’s games. It is the hub that connects all the games together and allows Ralph to travel from one game to another.
The central character Ralph
And then there’s the central character Ralph. He is cumbersome, clumsy and loveable. He’s a big guy with a big heart who sets out to show that what you are on the outside does not determine who you are on the inside. You see his character evolve throughout the film as he goes on an epic journey to find acceptance. It’s a journey that lies at the heart of the film and one many of us will relate to.
At the end of the film the audience clapped, which says it all really. Go see it and you’ll see exactly why.
Wreck-It Ralph is released in Disney Digital 3D™in select cinemas on February 8th 2013 rated PG. For more details visit the official Wreck-It Ralph website. You can also find Wreck-It Ralph on Facebook.
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I keep seeing the advert for this on TV and I really want to go and see it! A major plus to having kids is that you can watch all the Disney films and not feel silly. Love it x