Ralph Breaks the Internet

Like "ReBoot," "Tron," "Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad/Gridman," "Net Force," "Digimon," "Code Lyoko," and (shudder) "the Emoji Movie" before it, the Internet is depicted as a wondrous world to explore and be astounded/feared by once again in "Ralph Breaks the Internet."  Thankfully in 2018, and with some Disney magic, the Internet is now a thriving metropolis populated by what appears to be Funko Pops of the Users.

6 years have passed since the last movie (No kidding...IRL too?) and the deuteragonists from the last movie have settled into a comfortable routine...too comfortable for one of them. So when a WiFi router is plugged into their station, and a disaster befalls an arcade cabinet, it's up to them to find a new replacement part and restore balance to the arcade. But of course, going to the Internet is never easy as anyone with a 'Net addiction can tell you, there are TONS of ways to lose track of time.  Stops by online auctions, competitive racing/MMPORG, fansites, viral videoland, the Deep Web, and various other websites are a perfectly natural course through the recesses of the Internet right?  Along the way, the discovery that maybe this adventure will NOT result in a status quo being returned to normal rocks both of the main characters.

If you are a Disney fan of ANY kind, you will enjoy this movie. If not for the revelation of Vanellope's full ascendancy into being a Disney princess (complete with musical number by Alan Menken), than for all the neat little Disney references and Easter eggs.  The uber-hyped-up meeting of all the Disney princesses alone is perfectly crafted with little visual touches and lines that are perfect for each princess. Not only that, but people familiar with the Internet (especially us old timers who remember Netscape and Geocities) will find references left and right for those who know their way around the "series of tubes." But of course, at the center of this flashy show is a story about two people, insert whichever relationship you want into their dynamic, but it certainly looked like a story about letting go of the ones you love and how damaging it is to immediately write off that CHANGE BAD when it can really be an opportunity for new possibilities.

Overall, a movie that might be dated 20-30 years in the future when there actually will be a cyberspace humanity can inhabit (I'm looking at you "Ready Player One"), but for now, a grand adventure with two virtual characters diving into the deep waters of all the Internet has to offer and discovering real life lessons as well.  

When the twist villain is yourself.