[usr 4]
Six years after the events of “Wreck-It Ralph,” Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.
Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) seem to be cozying up to their old shenanigans until Vanellope gets a video game itch that she can’t seem to scratch. Although she loves the quirky life of cruising the internet world in a game of fantasy, she can’t ignore the reality that she has outgrown her desire to be content. Ralph, who has fallen in love with mediocrity, is thrown for a loop when he realizes that he and Vanellope are on opposite ends up the growth spectrum and the relationship is jeopardized by his inability to accept the fact that Vanellope wants more than he has to give.
In her quest to seek the thrill of the unknown, Vanellope and Ralph leave the comfort of Litwak’s cave in search of a cure to save her favorite game, Sugar Rush. When all resources are tapped, Vanellope changes course and meets up with Shank (Gal Gadot), a hardcore thrill-seeker who doesn’t mind living in the fast lane. Ralph, who was unprepared to stretch his relationship to the limits, starts feeling like a 3rd wheel and realizes Vanellope’s growth spurt requires him to pull back and let her grow at her own pace. While Vanellope is loving the heck out of this new life which challenges her, she has yet to come to terms with the absence of her best friend and confidante who wasn’t quite ready to grow with her.
At the same time, the intricacies of the internet are exposed with creative imagery and youthful imagination, so are the intricacies of Ralph and Vanellope’s relationship. Directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston put together a wonderful coming-of-age story that entertains as well as defines the most vulnerable parts of the internet with the most vulnerable parts of humanity. Through the eyes of two nerdy and mostly compatible video game lovers, the internet is broken down into a bevy of life lessons that are both limiting and expansive. The same successful elements that made “Wreck-It Ralph” a success are present once again as “Ralph Breaks the Internet” paves the way for a continuous breach of the internet at the hands of two emotionally-connected, tech-savvy opportunists.
In theaters Wednesday, November 21st
