Some of the best animation you’ll see.
Let’s be perfectly honest; there’s a lot of Disney cartoons and animation that could leave you emotionally scarred.
Bambi’s mother getting shot by a hunter, the weird brutality of Fantasia, Mufasa meeting his maker in The Lion King, the pink elephants in Dumbo, the furnace in Toy Story 3…
They’re all nightmare fuel.
Yep, kids’ films really do have a strong tradition of messing with your head but we’re firm believers that the best ones can always toe the line between light and darkness.
On that note, Ralph Breaks the Internet, or Wreck-It Ralph II, is very much in this vein because as stated in our spoiler-free review, the meta jokes about pop culture are back with a bang, but there’s a real heart to Rich Moore and Phil Johnston’s film.
Truth be told, when the very first trailer was released, audiences could only chat about one twisted gag that probably gave every single parent a sadistic laugh as it played out on screen.
You know what we’re talking about… the kitty gets the pancake.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s included at the end of the trailer here.
Clip via Walt Disney Animation Studios
Who doesn’t love seeing the exploding entrails of a pixilated cartoon character?
Yep, that’s the type of wonderful trauma that defines Ralph Breaks the Internet and when JOE caught up with the directors of Disney’s latest caper, we had to ask them about the best post-credit sequence that we’ve seen this side of the MCU.
“We were both in love with that scene and when we cut it from the movie, the trailer had already come out and we were like ‘Oh no! People really like that scene.
“It’s really funny and they’re even making toys of those characters (bunny and kitty) so we should probably figure out a way to get it back in there!” said Johnston.
Isn’t it lovely that the two directors that are happy to inflict some minor childhood trauma on those children that are watching on?
With regards to the plot for Ralph Breaks the Internet, we’re back in the company of Ralph and Vanellope as they discover a Wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure.
Of course, Vanellope is a genuine princess after her ass-kicking exploits on Sugar Rush in the first film but after wandering into the vast world of the Internet, Vanellope von Schweetz is about to get a crash course in Disney history, most notably, the rather complex personalities, adventures, and backgrounds of each princess.
Without giving too much away, Sarah Silverman’s character finds herself surrounded by Snow White, Elsa, Rapunzel, and co. but what unfolds is one of the cleverest and most meta breakdowns of the animation genre.
Abduction, poisoning, curses, PTSD, Stockholm syndrome, the touch of death…
Yep, you don’t see discussions like this in every animation.
“It was a blast to record but to see it and just to know that Disney was game to do it was great,” said Silverman.
“Yeah, it was so cool that Disney were game to have all their princesses out there and then for my character with these princesses with their tight, teeny-tiny corsets and waists, to get them to wear comfortable clothes was a proud moment for me to be a part moment!”
With cheeky pot shots at Star Wars, Marvel, major websites from around the world, and Disney’s own history, it’s clear that Wreck-It Ralph has lost none of his ability for destruction.
Long may that last.
You can check out our interviews with the cast and crew of Ralph Breaks the Internet below.
John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman.
The co-directors, Phil Johnston and Rich Moore.
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