Wreck-It Ralph

"Wreck-it Ralph" has a unique visual style that really captures the feel of video and arcade games, is cleverly written to have some jokes for the adults and children (without throwing in sex jokes or other inappropriate humor) and the more you like video games, the better you'll like it. There are constant references to classic arcade games and characters, whether it's within the dialogue, in the background or front and centre. The story is smart too, with the real conflict of the film not really resting on any one villainous character's shoulders, until a reveal near the end that you won't see coming.

When no one is watching, the various characters at the arcade take on a life of their own. Wreck-It Ralph (voiced by John C. Reily) is the bad guy In the Fix-It Felix, Jr. game and he's tired of everyone hating him just because he's doing his job. Leaving his game to become a hero, he finds a new friend in the form of Vanellope Von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman) but risks destroying his home world when he fails to return to it the next day.

If your children can pick up the message the film is selling, that your label doesn't necessarily have to define who you are, that everyone has a role to play and that you're important even if you don't realize it, it's a good one. Even if they don't they will have a great time. Visually this has a lot going for it due not only to the multiple locations, but the multiple visual styles as the film travels through classic arcade games, modern violent shooter and an off-the-wall insanely colorful racing game. It's got memorable, lovable characters that somehow I didn't find myself quite get as invested in as the film makers would have liked me to (maybe because I could see ahead of time where their character arcs were going to go) but It's not a big deal. It's a lot of fun, it's consistently funny, it's got some pretty good emotional turns and an inventive story. Whether you're young or old you'll enjoy yourself and stick around for the very end of the credits because there's a clever video game reference there for you hardcore game enthusiasts (if you don’t understand what it is, I recommend you check out "The King of Kong" which Is not only a great film, but one that will give you a lot of information on what makes these arcade games special) (3D theatrical version on the big screen, November 27, 2012)