Ralph Breaks The Internet Delivers Mega Laughs

The latest Disney animated film Ralph Breaks The Internet delivers mega laughs as arcade meets internet in this family-friendly, fantasy flick.

If you’re looking for a fun film to take your kids to over the Thanksgiving break, “Ralph Breaks The Internet” is a great pick!

Fans of the first film “Wreck-It Ralph” will be thrilled to see the return of the lovable, arcade game characters Ralph, Vanellope, Felix, and Sergeant Calhoun six years after the original film graced the silver screen.

Earlier this week, my kids and I had the opportunity to attend a special screening of the new Disney film “Ralph Breaks The Internet” two days before the official release.

In case you’re wondering if this film is something you want to take your kids to see, I’m sharing my thoughts in the review below.

The plot

The normal life of the arcade game characters at Litwak’s arcade comes to a screeching halt when Vanellope’s game Sugar Rush breaks, partly at the fault of Ralph who had altered the course to create a new “Rocky Road” track. Ralph’s seemingly kind act, to help liven up Vanellope’s race after she shared a lack of excitement and unpredictability in her game, results in a lively, off-the-beaten path race for Vanellope, but unfortunately triggers a mechanical issue when the real-life child playing the arcade game struggles to regain control of the game and the steering wheel breaks off, disabling the game.

The only way to fix the Sugar Rush arcade game is for the arcade owner, Walter, to buy a replacement steering wheel. Thankfully, one vintage wheel is available on eBay, however, the owner decides to retire the game after finding the part costs more than the arcade game makes in a year. All of the characters from Sugar Rush are left without a job and home, which creates chaos for the other games’ characters. Ralph sets out to right the wrong and save his best friend’s game by traveling to the Internet, after discovering the recent connection of WiFi (which he jokingly calls “Wifey” at first).

The adventure that ensues is a comical and courageous quest led by Ralph and Vanellope, as arcade meets the world wide web. Ralph and Vanellope try to find a way to make quick money on the internet in order to earn enough money to pay for the Sugar Rush wheel on eBay, which they have accidentally out-bid themselves on, after not realizing that the numbers they enter in a bidding war, result in the actual price you agree to pay for that item. While trying a shady, pop-up ad that doesn’t result in high earnings, they collide with the characters of “Slaughter Race” an online race that brings Vanellope the thrill of a new, ever-changing race course and story, along with new friends who challenge her fast-thinking driving skills. Shank, the lead character of “Slaughter Race,” helps Ralph create his first viral video and directs him to go see her friend “Yesss” at the video sharing platform BuzzzTube. The zany, viral videos that Ralph creates help them on their way to earning the money they need. Along the way they meet other Disney characters and a memorable scene with the Disney Princesses shows the fearless and fierce side of the beloved Disney Princesses, who it turns out love comfy clothes and sweatpants.

When Vanellope’s desire to stay in the Internet game Slaughter Race and not return to Sugar Rush is revealed, Ralph’s greed leads him into a shady deal to try and create a glitch in that game, to make Vanellope want to leave and return home with him. Unfortunately, he inadvertently launches a virus that takes over the internet. In order to save his best friend and the whole internet, Ralph must right the wrong and overcome his insecurities to step up as a hero and fix the internet, battling a sea of needy, zombie-like, Ralph clones.

I love the way that this film visually depicts classic arcade characters entering the world of the internet. In many ways, this film reminded me of Inside Out, in the unique way they map out and visualize the exploration of the Internet, similarly to how we explore Riley’s emotions and mind in Inside Out. I would love to see this turned into a Disney ride at their theme park one day!

Major lessons and themes

There are many positive messages throughout the film. Some that stood out to me include:

Sometimes you have dreams that go beyond what everyone else thinks is reasonable for you. It’s okay to dream big, even when you find a goal or passion that seems so contrary to what everyone else expects of you.

Being a good friend means supporting their dreams, even when those dreams are very different than your own.

The internet is a big place. It has many benefits and positive attributes such as connecting people, but there are also dark and shady parts. Internet safety, particularly for kids, is very important.

Disney fans will love this film

There’s some inside Disney jokes (such as poking fun at a film made by a different studio) and “Easter eggs” included in the film, so keep your eyes open for cameos by your favorite Disney characters. Plus, I highly recommend you sit through the credits because there are not just one but TWO bonus scenes that appear during the credits after you presume the movie is over. The first bonus scene was both of my children’s favorite scene of the entire movie! The second bonus scene is one that will get all the adults laughing up a storm thanks to a popular internet meme and hilarious cameo from decades ago.

Is it appropriate for younger kids?

There are some scary scenes in the film which may be unsettling for younger or more sensitive children. It really wasn’t a problem for my children (ages 8 and 12), but parents with younger children may want to be aware of a few scary and intense scenes peppered throughout the film. In Slaughter Race we see a dark, scary, and apocalyptic world, also showcasing the intense nature of this game for players (which I’d presume would be an M-rated game); we see a player coming to the end of the game life with the presumption that they are set on fire (that part is not shown) and then chalk outlines of the players are shown.

Another scene introduces us to a slimy, two-headed bad guy named Double Dan who lives in the dark depths of the internet. Another scary part features the virus creature that looks like some of extraterrestrial robot worm which attacks the internet. There is also an appearance of creepy clowns in a musical number.

This film also depicts negative comments and online bashing of Ralph on his vial videos, which delves into the dark side of the internet and cyber-bullying. The trash talk is toned down and not as bad as what you’d actually read online, so I think this part was well-done in conveying to children that there are negative aspects of the internet and that it is best to not read the comments section, particularly when so many trolls are spreading negativity.

Open now in theaters

Overall, my kids and I loved this movie.

Disney’s “Ralph Breaks The Internet” is an animated, fantasy/adventure film rated PG. It opens in theaters on November 21, 2018. The movie length is 116 minutes.

If you end up seeing the film, let me know how you like it!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a special, screening of this film for members of the press and their guests. Please note, I was not compensated to write this post. All opinions are my own.