“Wreck It Ralph” Collector’s Edition houses a two-disc set containing the film’s Blu-ray and DVD copies, along with a couple of extras. This is Disney’s well-received 52nd animated feature that brings a heartwarming identity-crisis tale set in sprawling hub-worlds and video game locations. The story revolves around the supposedly villainous Ralph who simply wants some appreciation and self-worth. He ventures outside his ’80s-era game to try to look for his ticket to heroism and happiness. However, he soon wrecks everything and he accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game found in the arcade.
This 2012 picture directed by Rich Moore features the voices of John C. Reilly, Alan Tudyk, Jane Lynch, Ed O’Neill, Jack McBrayer, and Sarah Silverman. With its never-ending stream of references that bolster its entertainment value and credibility, this Oscar-nominated piece works as a love letter to gaming and gamers alike. It takes jabs at gaming clichés and conventions using a number of original and adapted characters, inclusive of licensed cameos from the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Doctor Robotnik, Dig Dug, King Koopa, Kano, Ryu, Ken, Zangief, and the Pac-Man cast, to name a few.
Visuals
Its proficient animation makes this diverse visual extravaganza a venerable delight to gamers and film fans of all ages. As slick as it is shrewd, this family offering puts awe-inspiring nostalgia in showcasing Ralph’s 8-bit world that is full of block squares, as well as an eye-popping level of sophistication to the other characters’ more modern digital game worlds. Its sense of absurdity and grounded humanity, its touching references and sight gags, and its stirring character interactions enable the picture to draw genuine drama and laughter for its audience. Colors and textures look very interesting throughout. Images don’t suffer from discernable flaws.
Audio
This Blu-ray edition sports a seven-channel lossless track, along with dubbed five-channel options in Spanish and French. With a lot of explosive activities happening across channels, there is a sense of joyous energy that sets the tone well for the story. Whether during a run-and-gun battle, a speedy cart race, or a boisterous party, the bustling aural elements, including the pop soundtracks, render convincing dynamics.
The different characters’ worlds sound authentic and wholly immersive all the time. Cross-channel pans and directional effects never falter, even with the many layers of audio tracks. Voices remain clear and intelligible in the front-center.
Supplements
The package offers a variety of supplements, which include the Academy Award-nominated short film “Paperman: Theatrical Short,” the production featurette “Bit by Bit: Creating the Worlds of Wreck-It Ralph,” the “Disney Intermission” where Chris Hardwick discusses in-jokes and references in the film, which appears when the film is paused (may be switched on or off from the main menu), a collection of four commercials of video games featured in the movie, a reel of alternate and deleted scenes with introduction and optional commentary by the director, and sneak peeks of some familiar Disney projects. Subtitle options are available in English SDH, Spanish, and French.
Final Thoughts
“Wreck-It Ralph” is best dedicated to people with a lifelong love affair with video games. Yet, its creative way of breathing life into its worlds and characters can also capture the interest of non-gamers. It attains its needed cinematic and entertainment values in many charming ways.
The production’s heart for the material is very much present. The film’s thorough knowledge of gaming history keeps its core intact. Amidst not nailing a flawless victory in its storytelling, its dedicated and innovative narrative ultimately endears.