Movie Review: 'Wreck-It Ralph' Is Retro-Pop Family Fun

The bad guy in a low-resolution 1980s video game is a reluctant villain who tears down buildings with his sledgehammer fists. He's ready for a change in today's high-resolution world in "Wreck-It Ralph," in 3D.

In order to break out of his bad-guy image Ralph travels to grand game central, where there is access to every video game in the world. If he can win a few levels, who knows, he may become that good guy he has always wanted to be. The clever writing and character development is met with a solid voice-over cast which includes John C. Reilly as Ralph, Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope and Jane Lynch as Sgt. Calhoun. There are many retro games for the grown-ups and a solid storyline for the kids.

As in the tradition of "Toy Story," this film does a great job of imagining the secret lives of children's playthings. "Wreck-It Ralph" is clever, action-packed, and original. But there are nearly 190 unique characters in this movie, and that does clutter things up a bit, for my taste. The Flick-O-Meter gives "Wreck-It Ralph" a four out of five. The film is, like so many other Disney movies, about being comfortable being yourself. That's what the three or four main characters try to convey but they all got lost toward the end of movie, competing for screen time with dozens of other throw-back characters.

Let me know what you think. Head to my Facebook page. It's called TheBrettside, and click Like.