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Ah, the internet. Once a miracle science, for many it’s become something of a thorn in the side. With social media sites evolving from fun points of connection to all out warzones, the internet has become one of the primary pain points in the current divided atmosphere. There are many areas of the internet where toxicity is rampant and yet, we still have cute videos of cats and babies to warm our hearts. It’s an odd place, the internet. And, is very much in need of someone to break it.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

When Disney’s original Wreck-It Ralph debuted six years ago, it offered a very fun time. The talking points were simple, be a good friend, find the value in yourself, etc. Over the past six years, however, life has gotten harder. Everyone’s walking on eggshells while engaging in online wars. Trolls will still be trolls. And, toxic behaviors are being acknowledged and pointed out more and more. Ralph Breaks the Internet steps in to offer a conversation on the topic.

The Six Years Between

Ralph Breaks the Internet picks up six years after the events of the original film. Ralph and Vanellope spend their days working and their nights hanging out in the other arcade games. But, while Ralph is content with this circle of life, Vanellope has wanderlust. She’s frustrated with her game—she knows all the tracks, secrets and tricks. She has hit a wall. After an attempt to alleviate the monotony, Ralph breaks Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush.

After overhearing a group of humans discussing a replacement part on something called the Internet, Ralph and Vanellope hatch a plan to go in to the Internet to find the replacement and fix the game. But, neither Ralph nor Vanellope are fully prepared for the wonders and the dangers of the Internet.

Logging In

I was a bit hesitant going in to Ralph 2. Mostly, because I’m naturally cynical and while the trailer was amusing, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I am glad to say that I was delighted.

The opening is charming, but it’s very much what you expect in setting up the inciting incident. But, once the characters go into the web, the film moves to another level.

There are several small details that really make the film effective. Sure, the cameos from different websites are worth a laugh, but it’s the way clickbait and pop-up ads are handled that really make the world pop.

A lot of effort is given to designing this world, and in many ways the execution reminds me of The Lego Movie. Ralph Breaks the Internet has to do a couple of things to succeed, primarily it has to build a new, realized world with rules for Ralph and Vanellope to operate in. And, it delivers. The Internet is a wondrous, large metropolis where everyone zips around at lightning speed in little transports. The KnowsMore Search Bar is a clever play on words, and Alan Tudyk’s vocal performance makes KnowsMore an exciting addition to the Wreck-It Ralph roster.

In fact, we get a few fun new faces, Shank (Gal Gadot) is the confident ring leader of a racing gang in an MMO called Slaughter Race. J.P. Spamley (uncredited Bill Hader) is an anxious pop-up advertiser who takes Ralph and Vanellope into the Dark Net—the seedy part of the Internet. Taraji P. Henson’s Yesss, head algorithm of BuzzTube, rounds out the new major characters.

The episodic narrative of Ralph’s new adventure helps the film move along and let’s our characters explore different areas of the web with time to breath. Although the movie clocks in at almost two hours, it never feels that long.

At the core of the film, and the conflict, is the relationship between Ralph and Vanellope. Ralph’s neck is adorned with a heart-shaped medal that Vanellope gave him in the first film, acknowledging him as her hero. Here he must wrestle with that responsibility. Is she a princess in need of saving, or is she her own person?

And that’s when the film is at its most interesting. It goes to great lengths to examine the toxic culture of the internet and of relationships. It’s a prescient film even if the internet jokes feel a bit dated already. The themes are dynamic jumping off points for discussions amongst family and friends. Ralph must learn that he doesn’t control Vanellope, and that trying to keep her “safe” can be a bigger danger to her mentally and emotionally. Therefore, it gets heavy. But that is when Disney/Pixar succeed the most, when they tackle heavy, emotionally-charged themes that are relevant to today’s culture—The Incredibles 1 & 2, Zootopia, Inside Out and on.

Logging Off

There are a lot of highlights I haven’t mentioned. Mainly, the meta-textual jokes aimed at Disney. The film pinpoints some of its biggest character flaws, from a story perspective, and offers up several doses of humor. And, there’s a great stretch of the film filled with fun cameos. But, Ralph Breaks the Internet is more than a few cheap cameos. It’s a look at the dangers of online behaviors and relationships. It raises the stakes and goes all in, and I respect that about it.

I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for something to watch over the holiday weekend. The kids in attendance at the screening were loving it, and so were the adults. Disney has been on a roll as of late, and I’m excited to see where they go from here.

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