'Ralph Breaks the Internet' Finds the Good and Bad Side of the Web

Vanellope and Ralph | Walt Disney Studios

Feels like only a few years ago when video-game bad guy Ralph won our hearts in the beloved Wreck-It-Ralph--a mix of old-school-new-school video game animated feature by Walt Disney Studios. I cannot believe that it's already six years since. Now Ralph is back in Walt Disney Animation Studios' first ever sequel since they did Fantasia way back in 2000.

This time, Ralph, along with his video game pal Vanellope, leaves Litwak video arcade to venture into a way bigger world we call the internet--a new world that tests the strength of their friendship, and opens their eyes to endless possibilities for their future as video game characters.

In their arcade world, Ralph learned to love his role and his community. Vanellope, on the other hand, got tired of the repetitive and predictable races of her own video game. The internet becomes a deal breaker for both of them. Ralph struggles to cope with its chaotic nature, while Vanellope is thrilled of the unpredictability of it all--particularly the internet place called 'Slaughter Race' that gives Vanellope her own princess song "A Placed Called Slaughter Race". This gives the film a good dilemma for their friendship. At the same time, it caters both the good and bad side of the internet.

Ralph Breaks the Internet is not limited to the growth of its main characters. It also effectively shows the good and hazardous effect of its titular setting. Like in real life, internet could be fun at times or at first, until it gets ugly. It's certainly a source of entertainment but it lures some people in until it becomes unsafe--may it be because of addiction, bullying, and even destroying our motherboards with its virus. It's all in this film.

The animation of the internet world here is astounding. It's colorful, lively, and it's a smorgasbord of the never-ending internet features. It has all the social media, the cat memes, and other websites that we visit. The only thing it doesn't have is porn, but there's a small possibility that I just missed it. Case in point, it's a big world and it's very pleasing to the eyes. Not to mention, it has several Disney characters not exclusive to the Disney princesses like Star Wars. But the latter are certainly the highlight I did not expect to fully appreciate. I find the trailer for this a bit gimmicky because of them but they certainly exceeded the promise and delivered a great sequence around the film's climax. Also, because of this sequel, I think it's safe to say that Vanellope is now officially a Disney princess.

Disney Princesses  | Walt Disney Studios

It's not the world of the princesses that would make people love this, though. It is the lesson and the characters' relationship that would warm people's hearts. The test of friendship between Ralph and Vanellope goes into something real and relatable. It asks the questions, how long would friendship last if it's not anymore convenient for the other? Would you hinder your friend's happiness to satisfy yours?

Ralph Breaks the Internet packs a nice message about selflessness and friendship. It achieves it amidst all the chaos and unpredictability of the cyberspace. It's not all colors, video games, and memes, it also has a huge heart like the first one.