Here’s our spoiler-free review of Disney’s “Ralph Breaks The Internet”

Fun, heart-warming, and thought-provoking are three ways I would describe this newest Disney film, “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” People often say that sequels never do as well as their original film counterparts, but this does not apply to “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” in my humble opinion.

In it, Ralph and Vanellope are joined once more by some familiar faces as well as some new ones, and they are all just as memorable as the next. However, in its simplest terms, this movie is about the friendship between Ralph and Vanellope. It explores how friendships grow and how even the best of friendships change, for better or for worse.

We know from “Wreck-It Ralph” that Ralph, a “bad guy,” does not have very many friends – or any friends at all – until Vanellope becomes part of the picture. This film dives deeper into their friendship and though it demonstrates their relationship as a positive force, the film does not shy away from displaying the toxic behaviors that can hurt and ultimately ruin friendships. For an animated film meant for children, this topic was surprisingly mature. The emotions running from this theme are intense and full of heart, and it left me with a smile on my face and made me think about my own friendships that have grown and changed throughout the years.

Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship takes the starring role in this film, of course, and the stage they get to perform on is none other than the internet, itself. Creating an entire world based off of the internet seems like a daunting task, but the filmmakers handled it brilliantly. The way in which the internet is portrayed is both hilarious and quite accurate. It comes to life as a bustling city filled with things we are all familiar with, from irritating pop-ups to memes and viral videos. Even the way and the speed in which these popular videos are spread from person to person is demonstrated, which I was very impressed by.

However, you cannot have the good without the bad; the darker side of the internet is explored not only with viruses and shady transactions, but in the subjects of cyberbullying and the superficiality of doing everything just to get “likes.” As awesome and useful as the internet can be, this film reminds us that it can be dangerous, too.

The exploration of Ralph and Vanellope’s friendship and the representation of the internet are both huge aspects of this film, but one of my favorite parts was the utter presence of Disney in its own film. While exploring the internet, Ralph and Vanellope see all sorts of recognizable websites and brand names, so it is no surprise that they also discover the wonderful world of Disney and its many charming characters. The appearance of all these Disney characters within a Disney movie was awesome in and of itself, especially the inclusion of the iconic Disney princesses. The way the filmmakers acknowledge, poke, and prod into the stereotypes given to the princesses was something that, as a woman who has always loved the princesses, I truly enjoyed seeing. Without giving too much away, the original princesses and Vanellope both learn valuable things from each other that audiences are sure to love.

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed watching this film. I was smiling ear to ear one moment, and felt my heart breaking the next; it played with all of my emotions, which I certainly wasn’t expecting for a children’s movie. I might even go so far as to say that I liked it just a little more than “Wreck-It Ralph!” So, if you love all things Disney and want to watch a film that is highly entertaining as well as being absolutely full of heart, then this film is for you.

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” comes to theaters on November 21, 2018.

Details (from IMDB) –

• Runtime: 112 minutes

• Rating: PG for some action and rude humor

All reviews are personal opinions and may not reflect the attitudes of other writers for DisneyExaminer.com unless stated otherwise.

These films have been screened prior to the release date for review purposes and therefore are viewed without charge courtesy of The Walt Disney Studios.