A Wreck You'll Want to See

The Oscars did get it right this year, in my opinion, when they awarded Best Picture to Argo. But they messed up in awarding Best Animated Feature to the good-but-not-great Brave. At least, I realize that now that I've seen Wreck-It Ralph. This computer animated film, created by Walt Disney Studios without the involvement of Pixar, had all the hallmarks of the best Pixar classics, and far surpassed Brave.

Set within the world of arcade games of years past, Wreck-It Ralph is the story of an arcade nemesis trying to break out of his role as The Bad Guy. Crossing into other games in the hours the arcade is closed, the titular character earns a medal in a modern first person shooter, but accidentally unleashes its terrifying bug aliens on an innocent candy-themed racing game for kids.

Wreck-It Ralph lives in its memorable and genuine characters. There's Ralph himself, a misunderstood soft heart trying to better himself. There's Vanellope von Schweetz, the adorably determined "glitch" in the racing game who wants to qualify for the tournament so that actual players can use her. There's Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun, the fierce heroine of the shooter with a hilarious-yet-tragic back story. And there's Fix-It Felix, the hero of Ralph's own arcade game, a wonderful fish out of water who learns the hard way what it's like when not everything goes your way.

They're all brought to life with very human animation, and some excellent voice casting. John C. Reilly brings his everyman powers to bear as Ralph. Jack McBrayer is perfect as his do-gooder adversary Felix. Jane Lynch owns tough as nails in the role of Calhoun. And Sarah Silverman is cast wonderfully against type as plucky young Vanellope. Add in Alan Tudyk, Mindy Kaling, Ed O'Neill, Dennis Haysbert, Edie McClurg, and some of the wonderfully talented voice actors from the Animaniacs (Jess Harnell and Maurice LaMarche), and you've got one of the best casts assembled for an animated movie in years.

But despite the computer trappings (which are used hilariously at times, with great cameo appearances from classic video game characters), the best thing about the movie is the real heart in its story. Things get emotional for the characters before it's all over, and you never feel like the stakes aren't high just because the environment is virtual. (The film is much more successful in that regard than another Disney classic, Tron.)

Not only was Wreck-It Ralph the best animated film I've seen from last year, but it's good enough to crack my still-updating Top 10 list. I'm sliding it in to the #6 slot, and giving it an A- (and my enthusiastic endorsement).