When you are given a movie that has as much heart, humour and fun as Wreck-It Ralph, the idea of a sequel is intriguing and exciting but, more often than not, you end up underwhelmed and disappointed. I would love to tell you that Ralph Breaks the Internet breaks this tradition, but I can’t.

The film takes place six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph (2012). ‘Sugar Rush’ finds itself in danger once again, when the out-of-circulation game is damaged by an arcade customer. BFF’s Ralph and Venellope embark on a quest into the unknown world of the Internet to find a replacement part.

What follows is a bombardment of product placement and self-indulgent marketing, interspersed with some golden cameos and finished with a heavy sprinkling of humour. With everything that is going on; the story loses its focus and direction, the messages feel a little mixed and watered down and the characters, who are so well developed in the first film, seem two dimensional and a bit meh.

The Good

• Visually, this film holds its own against its predecessor. The nostalgic charm of Litwak’s Arcade is replaced with the chaotic, futuristic world of the Internet; but the design and attention to detail is what we have come to expect from modern day animations.

• While the many cameos (most of which, voiced by the original actors) don’t really add much to story, they were super fun to watch.  Baby Groot will have you chuckling, the Princesses will have you longing for your PJs and a certain much-missed someone may have you reaching for the tissues.

The Bad

• Simply put, the film is too long. Now I’ll happily sit in a cinema for hours if the story is interesting enough to hold my attention (Twilathon, anyone?!). Unfortunately, Ralph‘s story is disjointed and at times non-existent, and as a result you feel every single one of the 112 minutes of run-time.
• The film suffers from a lack of antagonist. With the whole of the Internet at their disposal or, if they wanted to really shove their messages down your throat, the Internet itself; there was the potential to out-boss their original villain, Turbo. Instead, any potential villains we come across are a bit wishy-washy and the whole film feels a little safe.

So, although I found this film pretty boring and will probably not watch it again. Of course, I will still urge you to go and see it for yourself, make up your own mind and let me know what you think.

As they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

As an Amazon Associates member, I may get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. At no additional cost to you. Win, win!