Wreck-It Ralph

Name: Wreck-It Ralph
Item: Wreck-It Ralph
Rating: 4
Author: Kelly Schryver

Movie review by

Kelly Schryver, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Game-themed movie mixes potty humor with strong messages.

PG
2012
108 minutes

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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 61 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 136 reviews

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We think this movie stands out for:

Character Strengths

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Educational Value

Kids are introduced to tech terms and concepts like game code, consoles, and avatars.

Positive Messages

Characters show integrity and learn to embrace the way they're programmed, rather than change themselves for others. Characters also discover the importance of empathy and walking a mile in someone else's shoes before judging them. Themes of inclusivity/exclusivity and selflessness/selfishness are woven throughout the story in many ways. Teamwork, perseverance, and self-control are additional themes.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Ralph's quest for peer approval turns into a journey about becoming proud of who he is and what he's able to contribute. He doesn't let his official "bad guy" status overshadow the qualities that make him good: He's compassionate, resourceful, and sticks up for the underdog. Despite her potty-mouth insults, Vanellope is a spunky, clever, and determined character. In a game that's stereotypically girly, she challenges the status quo. She finds a way to channel her "defectiveness" as a game "glitch" into something positive.

Violence & Scariness

In one scene, a first-person shooter video game comes to life. Characters from this game (who are more realistic looking than some of the others) fire big guns at aliens, which end up invading other games. In a brief and comic-toned scene, a character impulsively grabs a zombie's heart out of his chest, but no real damage is done. In another flashback, a character is eaten by an alien bug. Calhoun and Ralph are the most aggressive characters; they occasionally punch others and destroy their surroundings. Cautionary tales about characters' deaths (if a character dies in a game outside of their own, they can't regenerate) and homelessness (games that are put out of order) may be upsetting to younger kids. One character does die, but it's in his own game, so he regenerates.

Sexy Stuff

Two game characters fall in love and get married. They exchange a smooch, as well as a more passionate kiss in another scene. One iconic game character, a male wrestler, wears only his underwear. In one scene, Ralph disrobes an unconscious space commander to steal his suit.

Language

Rude humor and frequent name-calling includes insults like "I hate you," "shut your chew hole," "brat," "pussy willows," "doody," and "numbskull." The song "Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna plays during one scene. Other iffy language includes "frickishly" and "butt load."

Consumerism

Iconic video game characters -- like Pac-Man, Bowser, and Sonic the Hedgehog -- make cameo appearances. There are also many references to candy/cookie/sweets brands (Oreo, Devil Dogs, NesQuick, Laffy Taffy, Mentos, etc.).

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

In one scene, a game character pours himself a martini. Another scene takes place in a game called Tappers, in which characters drink root beer from beer mugs. Characters are also briefly seen drinking at a dance party.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Wreck-It Ralph brings video games to life in a way that will appeal to both kids and adults. The story is about a "bad guy" who deserts his classic arcade game to prove that he's not so bad after all, turning Disney's animated adventure into the tale of an underdog searching for a new identity. The movie is accurate in the way it presents popular games/game genres, so you can expect some action-packed scenes, especially in the parts of the movie that take place in a first-person shooter game (guns, aliens, etc.). Game characters can die, but it's only permanent if it happens outside their home game. In one scene presented comically, someone grabs a zombie's heart out of its chest. There's also a little bit of drinking and kissing -- and a fair amount of potty humor/language ("butt," "doody," etc.) -- amid the movie's deeper messages about identity, compassion, loyalty, and challenging the status quo.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Parent Written byKarmaCat November 4, 2012

age 8+

Great for adults and older kids... not so much for the wee ones.

Let me start my review by stating that my household is big-time into video games, both modern and old school. I took my kids to this movie because I knew they w... Continue reading

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Parent Written byPDXSherri November 2, 2012

age 11+

Bummer...

Save your money... not worth it! Very violent. The message is there but so saturated with violence - it is lost.

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Kid, 11 years old March 9, 2013

age 5+

Amazing

It is a very good film, with just a few violent parts. Definitely recommend this film.

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Teen, 17 years old Written byRosebud95 November 16, 2012

age 7+

Really good!

It was funny and just..awesome. :D

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What's the story?

After 30 years of playing the villain in the arcade game Fix-It Felix, WRECK-IT RALPH (voiced by John C. Reilly) decides he needs to prove that he has what it takes to be a good guy. He sneaks and stumbles his way into other consoles -- specifically, an alien-invasion, first-person shooter game and a Candy Land-esque racing game -- in search for a hero's medal, which he believes is his one-way ticket to being accepted within the arcade community. With the help of characters like Sergeant Calhoun (Jane Lynch) and Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), Ralph's journey becomes much more than a quest for peer validation. His friendship with Vanellope, in particular, helps him realize that, at the end of the day, there's nobody he'd rather be than himself. The DVD release includes the short film The Paperman, plus deleted scenes and other extras.

Is it any good?

Kids, adults, gamers, and tech newbies will enjoy Disney's imaginative interpretation of code, pixels, avatars, and wires, as well as the movie's many references to iconic video game characters. Like Toy Story and Monsters, Inc, Wreck-It Ralph takes place in a magical world that only exists behind closed doors -- one in which video game characters come to life in arcades after hours.

There are a few missteps: The movie could definitely have cut back on its rude humor, which sometimes overshadows Wreck-It Ralph's meaningful messages about being an underdog and discovering who you really are.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how Wreck-It Ralph portrays video game violence. What's realistic? What's not? What are your family's values when it comes to violence in the media?
What are the movie's female characters like? Do they challenge stereotypes about girls and "girly" video games? How so?
Talk about the ways that Ralph and Vanellope are mistreated and misunderstood. What could other characters have done to be more inclusive and more accepting? In what ways could they have shown more compassion and empathy?
How do the characters in Wreck-It Ralph demonstrate perseverance and integrity? What about self-control and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie details

In theaters: November 2, 2012
On DVD or streaming: March 5, 2013
Cast: Jane Lynch, John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman
Director: Rich Moore
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Genre: Family and Kids
Topics: Misfits and Underdogs
Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, Teamwork
Run time: 108 minutes
MPAA rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some rude humor and mild action/violence