Reviewed by: Alexander Malsan
CONTRIBUTOR
Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
Moviemaking Quality: |
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Primary Audience: | Kids Family |
Genre: | Animation Adventure Family Comedy 3D Sequel |
Length: | 1 hr. 52 min. |
Year of Release: | 2018 |
USA Release: |
November 21, 2018 (wide—4,017 theaters) DVD: February 26, 2019 |
The importance of good FRIENDSHIPS
How to best manage friendships that have changed
How to deal with friends that have become unkind or adopted bad behavior
How to know when to part ways
Best ways to deal with the confusion of a world and life that is CONSTANTLY CHANGING
The appeal and dangers of the Internet and video games / How to use the Internet WISELY
Dealing with HOSTILITY and cyberbullying on the Internet
Wisely avoiding spending excessive time on the Internet and in social networking / Is the Internet taking over your life?
Places where evil is especially prevalent on the Internet
Adventures in the rainforest! Learn about the Creator of the universe by exploring His marvelous creation. Fun for the whole family with games, activities, stories, answers to children’s questions, color pages, and more!
Teens—Have questions? Find answers in our popular TeenQs section. Get answers to your questions about life, dating and much more.
Featuring |
John C. Reilly … Ralph (voice) Sarah Silverman … Vanellope (voice) Gal Gadot … Shank (voice) Taraji P. Henson … Yesss (voice) Jane Lynch … Calhoun (voice) Alan Tudyk … KnowsMore (voice) Alfred Molina … Double Dan (voice) Kristen Bell … Anna (voice) Mandy Moore … Rapunzel (voice) Vin Diesel … Baby Groot (voice) Tim Allen … Buzz Lightyear (voice) Ming-Na Wen… Mulan (voice) Dianna Agron … News Anchor (voice) Idina Menzel … Elsa (voice) Auli'i Cravalho … Moana (voice) See all » |
Director |
Phil Johnston Rich Moore |
Producer |
Walt Disney Animation Studios Walt Disney Pictures |
Distributor |
Prequel: “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012)
Wreck it Ralph (or Ralph) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) have been the best of friends for the past 6 years. Ever since they became friends, they’ve been nearly inseparable—well, apart from Vanellope’s many, many “Sugar Rush” races and Ralph’s continued destruction of buildings in the game “Fix It Felix.” Yet, Vanellope has expressed to Ralph that there are times when she just wishes things would change just a little bit, as everything has become too predictable, lately. Well, careful what you wish for Vanellope.
For you see, Vanellope’s wish comes true during a race when Ralph tries to create a new route for her, just to stir things up. Vanellope gives it a shot, which causes the gamers in the real world to become frustrated, and they accidently wreck the steering wheel of the Sugar Rush arcade machine, causing the game to be taken out of commission. Now, all the members of Sugar Rush are left homeless. The arcade owner, Mr. Litwak, has expressed that a new steering wheel is too expensive.
So, what do Ralph and Vanellope do? What any person would do looking for an impossible item? They search the Intenet. Actually, they travel INTO the Internet and bid on one on Ebay… for $27,000! Where are they going to get that kind of money? Join Ralph, Vanellope and a whole new cast of characters as it’s a race against the clock to save the game “Sugar Rush” from complete annihilation.
I honestly can’t believe it’s been six years since the first “Wreck-It Ralph” film. Before heading to the theater today, I read the comment I wrote on Christian Spotlight regarding my thoughts on the first film, in which I praised its substance (the way the film could speak to children AND adults) while maintaining a fairly family-friendly environment. I really hoped, above all else, that with this film, that we would get more of the same.
For the most part, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is family-friendly, just like the first film. But (and perhaps I’m being a bit overly cautious), while this second installment has a LOT more depth and stronger cinematic developments than the first, I couldn’t help but state to my theater companion at the conclusion of the film, “The objectionable content seems to stand out more in this film than in the first one.” To me, that’s a little troubling.
However, while this content is MORE present (a little more language than the first and some darker elements in parts), it is not OVERLY present. And even if the content WERE a major issue, which it probably isn’t, the strong morals that are present in this film probably more than make up for the content ten-fold, especially when these morals are conveyed by such good performances by John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Gal Gadot. Lastly, I commend the animators for artististry and beautiful design, including wonderful detail in the characters and settings, especially when Ralph and Vanellope first arrive in the Internet. Every building is defined, and no element is left out.
As I said, the content of concern is a little higher this time around.
VIOLENCE: Moderate. A virtual cop gets hit in the face lightly with something. A sign falls and squahes an Internet avatar. An avatar gets pushed. A bug is squashed and killed. Cars explode in a game called “Slaughter Race.” We see a shark eat a cat. Avatars are burned and killed (off screen, nothing graphic, and they reappear later for a second chance at something). There is a short car chase. In another scene Vanellope’s car crashes into a wall (she is ok). Ralph is seen fighting other characters. At different times, various characters are seen in danger.
LANGUAGE: Mild. The language is tame though. Language includes the following: “son of a gun,” “dooty” (2), “heck,” “Holy cow,” “sugar” (a cover up for a swear word), “butt” (3), “dummy” (3), the Lord’s name is taken in vain 3 times (as “Good Lord”), “Gosh dang it,” “Jeez Louise,” “stupid” (4), “Shank you,” “weirdos,” and “Farting is such sweet sorrow.”
SEX/NUDITY: A curvaceous woman wears tight, form-fitting clothing. Another woman has a bare midriff. A muscular, male wrestler wears just small shorts. Vanellope spots a word and points out that it says “Lingerie”. An Internet ad says, “Sassy housewives want to meet you.”
OTHER: A virus that a character releases might be frightful to some younger viewers (it also causes some damage to the Internet). Pop up ads talk about “sassy housewives want to me you,” and there is a topic that states “these child stars went to prison.” Ralph and Vanellope attempt to steal a car. There is a brief scene involving the Dark Web (nothing incredibly dark).
Ralph and Vanellope have been friends for 6 years. They have been inseparable—sharing the same dreams, up until a certain point. And yet, change is bound to happen. Nothing stays the same forever is what the film attests to. Friendships, like situations, must grow and change, otherwise we never become the people we are meant to become.
Personally, having had a best friend for over 10 years, I can attest that, while we have similarities, we have our differences, as well. Yet, we share the same faith, and it is because of this core our friendship remains. However, over the past 10 years both his and my faith have grown.
As Christians, we are called to change. To never remain stagnant in our faith—in our walk or in our devotion to God.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. —Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” —Proverbs 2:1-2, 4-6
Though we are called to change, we are reassured in knowing that our Lord is unchanging. A constant presence, everlasting, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. As Jesus once said himself,
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” —Matthew 24:35
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” —Deuteronomy 7:9
Full of strong messages regarding change and friendship, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is a testimony to Disney’s mission in putting “family” back into family-friendly viewing. While the content of “Ralph Breaks the Internet” isn’t as good as I would like it to be, in my opinion, the good outweighs the bad, and makes this film relatively safe for family viewing. Keep up the good work Disney!
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
I really like this movie. It was the movie I really wanted to see and it didn't disappoint. Only complaint I have is picture of scull on car and giant Ralph was creepy. I would recommend for adults and older kids.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5