Ralph Breaks the Internet: An honest review

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. I MAY EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

When Wreck it Ralph came out a few years ago, I didn’t see it. It wasn’t until a year ago that I sat down with the kids and watched it. I sure did end up really liking that poor Ralph on his quest for friends and a badge. Turns out he’s a pretty good guy, just a little thick-headed. So, when I was lucky enough to be invited to an early viewing of the newest Ralph movie, Ralph Breaks the Internet, I got my kiddos care lined up, and headed downtown to watch it. 

I didn’t take my kids with me to the screening, so I can’t get their initial reactions to share with you, but I like to think I know them pretty well, and how they will react as well as how other kids might react.

Meet the characters and play some games before going with these Ralph Breaks the Internet Printables and Activity Sheets.

They Synopsis

In RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had. Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” writer, “Cedar Rapids”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt,” “Lilo & Stitch”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018. Watch the trailer here if you haven’t yet seen it. 

The Rating

Ralph Breaks the Internet is rated PG. I agree with this and don’t think there’s anything not PG about it. Generally our kids see PG movies without any concern from us.

The Language

I didn’t catch any offensive or crude language in Ralph Breaks the Internet. There are plenty of potty jokes, just like the first movie. They will get in plenty of “duty” jokes. 

The Internet

The way Disney set up the Internet and how it functioned was really thoughtful and original. Seeing the interactions take place, looking for various stores, and even seeing how they personified pop-up ads was really cool.

There are two types of people in the Internet. The Net Users are the avatars that represent people from the real world as they explore the internet. When a person moves their cursor around on a computer screen, they are moving their Net User avatar within the internet. 

Netizens are the residents of the internet. They are the employees of the various websites visited by the Net Users, helping them navigate their purchases and searches. These are fun characters like Yesss and KnowsMore and Maybe, for example. There are a ton of others I can’t wait for you to meet.

The Disney Princess Scene

I think by now, we’ve all seen bits and pieces of the Disney Princess scene with Vanellope. The Princesses do not disappoint. And I’m so tempted to add spoilers here, but I’m not!

Violence and Darkness

There is some very limited video game-style violence during the Slaughter Race scenes. We haven’t played any games where people can die, so this might be something upsetting to your children. It’s not really graphic, and played off with humor and light-heartedness, but it’s there.

There is also some darkness to the movie. I’m trying to not give any spoilers, but also warn or let parents know what to expect.

The movie gets dark when things aren’t going well for Ralph. He decides to pay a visit to Double Dan (shown below). Double Dan resides in the bowels of the dark web. Massive, slimy and creepy, he sports a second head called Little Dan. He’s really pretty gross, and really not the nicest person. I could see him and his “brother” scaring some littler kids. 

Again, without spoilers, the work that Ralph recruits Double Dan for is where the darkness starts. I feel like the movie physically gets darker. And the way Ralph “breaks the internet” is a bit on the spooky side, too. It’s important for the plot of the movie, but it could be scary for sure. 

Double Dan formulates destructive viruses yet asks few questions.

The Overall Theme

“While ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ 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 (writer and director). “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.”

I think kids will get the struggles about friendship to some level, but there are varying degrees of the struggle of friendship in the movie. It’s definitely got a lesson for all of us (thanks Disney)…and yeah, maybe the besties and I held hands during part of the movie!

The Credits

Make sure you stay for the credits. They are worth it!

Overall

My girls will definitely be seeing this movie. I think that B (4 years old), but get a little spooked, but as long as she’s sitting by one of her grown ups or big sister, she will be just fine. I like to prepare parents for potential concerns instead of saying it will be great and then having a scared kiddo. 

I enjoyed the movie, laughed quite a few times and liked the message and story. Will you be seeing it?