Wreck-it Ralph (3/5/13)

Rated PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence.

Starring John C. Reilly (voice), Jane Lynch (voice), Jack McBrayer (voice), Sarah Silverman (voice), and Ed O’Neill (voice)

Directed by Rich Moore

No need for Fix-It Felix …there is nothing broke with this movie.

Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) longs to be as beloved as his game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer). Problem is, nobody loves a Bad Guy. But they do love heroes… so when a modern, first-person shooter game arrives featuring tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch), Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan—win a medal—but soon wrecks everything, and accidently unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. Ralph’s only hope? Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman), a young troublemaking “glitch” from a candy-coated cart racing game who might just be the one to teach Ralph what it means to be a Good Guy. But will he realize he is good enough to become a hero before it’s “Game Over” for the entire arcade?

I love that part of my job is taking my kids to a movie and laughing together. My 14 and 11 year olds loved this movie and the fact that they loved it…makes me love it even more.

Let me start with Director Rich Moore. Although he’s a veteran director of animated TV shows, this is his first attempt at the big screen…and I’m pretty sure this won’t be his last. He does a great job balancing the humor with the heart. Yes surprisingly enough, there is plenty of heart in a movie that takes place inside video games.

As far as the cast, I only have one complaint – Sarah Silverman. She is annoying and crude, not necessarily in this movie, but I just can’t seem to get past her “real life” persona to enjoy her work as an actress. I was thankful that John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer were all hilarious.

The story is fun and full of laughs, tender moments and great life lessons. It’s “Theater Worthy.” Plus an Owl City song is in the closing credits.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There are a few crude comments or jokes that come mostly from Jane Lynch’s character. Other than that there are several great messages like forgiveness, acceptance, and respecting others.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What motivates Ralph to leave his video game?


2. Have you ever been treated the way he was treated by the tenants of the building? How did it feel?


3. Have you ever excluded someone from an activity you were involved in?


4. READ Ephesians 4:32
   
   Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
   
   
5. How did Ralph display kindness? Tenderness? And forgiveness?


6. Even though Ralph was labeled “the bad guy,” how was his behavior more like “the good guy”?


7. What are some ways you can be more like Ralph this week?