Ralph Breaks the Internet review: Heart and jokes combine to make this video games drama a hit

Wreck-It Ralph became a surprise hit two years ago thanks to its nostalgia-tingling portrayal of retro video games. Now the reformed bad guy, voiced by John C Reilly, is back and heading into The Internet in order to save the game of his best friend, Vanellope (Sarah Silverman). With a host of online obstacles in their way, can they keep their friendship from glitching?

Much of the first half is a relentless pastiche of everything from eBay to video streaming sites, where Ralph becomes a viral sensation on ‘BuzzTube’. The biggest visual treat is Vanellope’s trip to Disney.com, a refreshingly honest look at just how many characters the studio owns, featuring more cameos than you can shake a lightsaber at. It’s not quite as all-encompassing as this year’s other internet adventure Ready Player One, but it still makes for a fun game of ‘spot the reference’.

The much-hyped Disney Princesses sequence has more or less been given away entirely in the trailers, but is just as fun as expected. However, Ralph Breaks the Internet is much more than pop culture nods, it’s also surprisingly complex. Silverman’s Vanellope shows wonderful moments of vulnerability, exploring emotions like anxiety in a way Pixar would be proud of. Ralph also experiences the sting of online trolling, in a heart-breaking scene that feels just right for now, as well as abandonment when his best friend finds a new hero.

The final half hour is extremely busy but committed performances from Reilly and Silverman reward your patience, bringing about an ending that puts a lump in your throat.

Ralph Breaks The Internet avoids the sequel trap of rehashing the past, but still retains the heart that made the original such a hit. It’s hard to imagine where the beloved characters go from here (Wreck-It Ralph VR?), but after this entertaining instalment it’s will be fun to find out.