Walt Disney Animation Studios Ralph Breaks the Internet welcomes back to the big screen the video-game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz, who we first met in 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph.
The sequel was created by the original film’s writing/directing team, who explain what was in the characters of Ralph and Vanellope that had audiences wanting more.
“Ralph and Vanellope are imperfect characters,” says Academy Award-winning director Rich Moore. “But we love them because of their flaws. Their friendship is so genuine, the chemistry between them so engaging, that I think we were all anxious to know more about these characters.”
“Ralph and Vanellope had only known each other for a short time. Yet, they became best friends and we love them for that,” says co-writer/director Phil Johnston. “But it didn’t feel like their story was over – there were more adventures to be had. And Vanellope, in particular, was starting to come into her own.”
Ralph Breaks the Internet takes the intrepid heroes into a vast, unfamiliar world with endless possibilities. When the filmmakers put themselves in the characters’ shoes, they realised Ralph and Vanellope would have completely different points of view when it came to the internet.
Some of the emotional struggles that Ralph and Vanellope go through in this movie are pretty intense and complicated
Moore explains that “they’re like a couple of small-town kids who venture into the big city. One falls in love with the city, while the other one can’t wait to go home”.
“Ralph is in love with the life that he has,” comments Johnston. “But Vanellope is ready for a change – she wants to spread her wings a little. That creates conflict within their friendship, which becomes the heart of the story.”
At its heart the film is about change and, as the story unfolds, Ralph and Vanellope realise that the world will not always be the same.
The story starts off in the arcade, where Ralph and Vanellope have been living harmoniously – fulfilling their duties in their own games during the day and hanging out together in their neighbouring arcade games at night.
“Vanellope is lamenting the fact that her game is getting a little boring,” says Johnston. “So, Ralph takes it upon himself to amplify the excitement for her. And Ralph being Ralph – it doesn’t go exactly as planned.”
“While the film will make people laugh, I think some of the emotional struggles that Ralph and Vanellope go through in this movie are pretty intense and complicated,” continues Johnston. “We’re exploring the reality of all relationships, which come with ups and downs. Friendships are tested from time to time, and Ralph and Vanellope have to navigate the complexity of theirs – while attempting to navigate the vast and often intimidating internet.”
The superb cast lending their voices to Ralph Breaks the Internet includes members of the original cast such as John C. Reilly, who provides the voice of Ralph, and Sarah Silverman, who returns as the voice of Vanellope.
Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch also return as the voices of Fix-It Felix Jr and Sergeant Calhoun, respectively. Shank, voiced by Gal Gadot, is a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces.
Yesss, voiced by Taraji P. Henson, is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site BuzzzTube – the site that turns Ralph into a viral sensation.
Alan Tudyk is on board as a search engine named KnowsMore – literally a know-it-all – who runs a search bar and helps Ralph and Vanellope on their quest. Ralph Breaks the Internet is written by Johnston and Pamela Ribon, from a story by Moore, Johnston, Jim Reardon, Ribon and Josie Trinidad.
Also showing
Slaughterhouse Rulez: A British boarding school turns into a battleground when unspeakable horrors emerge from the ground.