MEOW!
Wreck-It Ralph is a fireworks display of creativity, imagination, and wonder--it not only deserves to be ranked alongside some of the best of Disney; it deserves to be ranked among some of the best cinema has ever had to offer. I can't stress how absolutely wonderful this film is, and how achingly melancholy this film made me when I walked out of the theater afterwards. Whenever I see ads for this film on TV or on the internet, it makes me ask, just like the end credit title, "when can I see you again?" Or to paraphrase, when can I see this film again? I am praying to G.O.D. soon. For now, I can understand how people felt back in 1939 when they saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time (Kind of ironic, too, as The Wizard of Oz is referenced in a joke that will blindside you with laughter.). I'm not making a one-liner, nor a hyperbolic sentiment. It's. THAT. GOOD.
I've seen Cloud Atlas twice now, or 1 3/4 times, given the fact that I accidentally missed the first twenty minutes or so. But I am happy to report that 322 minutes was spent wisely, as Cloud Atlas is a fantastic cinematic experience with powerful themes, excellent performances, groundbreaking visuals, and one of the best film scores I've heard in quite some time. The fact that this film was also independently funded proved just how far the filmmakers were willing to go to create something so special. Sadly, this film will have its detractors, with unnecessary claims such as 'pretentious (gag),' 'self-indulgent (verp),' and of course, my personal favorite, 'FLOP BABY (CRINGE!)!' As the great Little Bo-Peep would say, "Can't we just all get along, little monsters?" In this universe, I guess not.
The main complaint that the detractors seem to cloud around Wreck-It Ralph for is that it spends way too much time in Sugar Rush, when there could've been 'cooler' worlds to explore in the arcade universe. While it would've been fascinating to see how Ralph would jump from one game to another just in one film, I think the choice was wise to keep it to a minimum, as sequels would probably expand the universe successfully like the Toy Story and Star Wars trilogies did. And while we're at Sugar Rush, I would go as far as to say that it is one of the most astonishing inventions the animators at Disney have ever come up with. Not only is it boldly colorful and enchanting, but it also provides plenty of opportunities to make as many visual gags as possible while never wearing out its welcome. It is so refreshing to see a film that takes full advantage of an environment that deserves to be explored.
The commitment to the style of filmmaking Cloud Atlas achieves here is unlike any film I've ever seen. One of the major themes that this film focuses on is the idea of reincarnation, and how the filmmakers marry that theme along with the spectacular make-up on the actors will leave you with the genuine thought of "HOW DID THEY DO THAT?" All of the actors performing in this film are portraying different people in each story, and while some of them are clearly the actors we all know and admire, most of them are hidden so subtlely that I'll be surprised if it gets snubbed at this year's Oscar telecast. When we are introduced to the character of Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent), he is having a conversation with a publisher named Dermot Hoggins. Whom he is portrayed by I'll leave for you to discover, but the first time I saw it, I honestly did a triple-take. Oh, and although you may need to use the loo after sitting in a theater for about 160 minutes, hold your bladder and stick around for the end credits. Your mind will be splattered from it being blown all over the place. I hope the ushers are ready.
I adored every major character in Wreck-It Ralph. Each character has their own share of feeling rejected and/or alone. The title character himself (John C. Reilly--Shake & Bake) goes to bad-a-non meetings to discuss his feelings about wanting to be 'the good guy' for once, and although he is told that he can't change the way he is, he decides to do whatever it takes to rise to the top even if it means putting the entire arcade in jeopardy. (President) Vanellope Von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) is a glitch that just wants to race in her very own kart, but King Candy (Alan Tudyk) and the other racers won't allow her to do so, which sadly leaves her living alone inside a chocolate mountain (Hopefully not a creepy side-note about her coming from an 18-year-old Disney geek: If she was about six or seven years older, I would let Belle have the Beast and go for Vanellope instead. She's one of the best Disney characters to be created in recent memory.). At one point, Fix-It Felix, Jr. (Wonderfully voiced by Jack McBrayer) develops feelings for Sergeant Calhoun (Sue Sylvester), but is rejected by her because she is equipped with a "tragic backstory" that, while obviously playing for satire, feels incredibly human at the same time.
Cloud Atlas has one of the most beautiful film scores in recent memory. While watching the film, I believed that the Cloud Atlas Sextet was an authentic composition written back in 1931, only to find out that it is, indeed, part of an original score composed by co-director Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek. This score represents all of the traditional feelings combined into one film, such as excitement (the escape from the old folks' home), wonder (the belief that one life is connected to another), and hope (the thought of what love brings to our hearts.). Here's a soundtrack preview of the film that you can listen to here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snzfRtEsfm8.
At the end of the day, all of these emotions come together to form into one that would occur when discovering something magical in the cinema: Joy. Cloud Atlas is one of the very best films of the year. It's 172 minutes of a multitude of drops!
Wreck-It Ralph is pure, joyous cinematic magic. While there are films this year that I have truly loved and have had the enormous pleasure of discovering, I don't think there would be another film this year that had the power to make everyone's dreams come true as much as this one. By typing that, I can safely say that the magic of Disney has finally been restored. Not only is this some of Disney's best work along with The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Beauty and the Beast; this is right up there with some of the best that cinema had to offer in the past, along with HUGO and The Wizard of Oz. Yes, I know, those two are considered to be "family" films, but hey, doesn't that mean that they're made for everybody? Right? Eh? ABSOLUTELY!
P.S. Get there early for Paperman, the animated short before the film. It is one of the few definitions of the 'icing on the cake.'
Until next time,
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