Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG)
Wreck-it Ralph was a pleasant surprise when it hit cinemas back in 2012.
Reminiscent of some of Pixar’s finest, it was also one of Disney’s best animated efforts of the past decade.
This follow-up is set six years after the original and sees a returning Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) embark on a new, online-based adventure when they discover a wi-fi router in their arcade.
First flick helmer Rich Moore shares directing duties on this occasion with Phil Johnston, who co-wrote Wreck-it Ralph, and the pair are among six credited story contributors.
Perhaps that explains why it feels like a multitude of ideas have been thrown at this sequel, resulting in a more bloated, uneven whole than the simple-but-effective original.
Moving from the world of arcade games to the whole internet may present a much larger canvas to explore, but it also robs the movie of the warm nostalgic glow that powered much of its predecessor.
There’s still much to like, though. If you thought Ready Player One was crammed with Easter eggs and pop culture references then, in the immortal words of rockers Bachman– Turner Overdrive, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
The filmmakers manage to include an impressive amount of familiar faces during Ralph and Vanellope’s journey, peaking with a