Directed by: Rich Moore
Written by: Phil Johnston/Jennifer Lee/Rich Moore/Jim Reardon
This is probably the closest Disney has ever come to making a Pixar movie. It’s not a musical. It has a fantastical setting, but is set in the real world…kinda. And it’s heart-wrenching in a way that Disney has never really done before. It’s not about a little deer losing his mom or a princess losing her kingdom. It’s about a lonely and kind of horrible man finding friendship in a place he never expected and, of course, finding himself in that friendship.
The friendship between Ralph and Vanellope is so beautiful. Of course it starts rocky, but don’t all great friendships? And you almost kind of hate both of them until they start to compliment each other. Then things start to click. They’re both such brash and cynical characters in their own ways that it’s really fun to see them both learn how to trust another person.
The voice acting is perfect. John C Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, and Jack McBrayer are all hilarious. And then there’s Alan Tudyk doing his best Ed Wynn. He’s been in every Disney movie since this movie and I hope he never ends their partnership. But this is him at his most unhinged. King Candy is just…I don’t even know what he is.Â
At the same time that this movie was being made, Pixar was making Brave, their most Disney movie. I guess they were taking a break from their own styles.
Wreck-It Ralph is definitely one of my favorite of the Disney Revival. If, for some reason, you haven’t seen it, see it now. And watch for the approximately 4,987 references to old video games.