Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph

John C. Reilly voices Ralph, a bulky video game villain itching to shed his bad-guy image and become a hero. The film's stellar voice cast also includes Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, and Jack McBrayer. Chock-full of nostalgic references (think Q*bert and Sonic the Hedgehog), Wreck-It Ralph is just as much fun for adults as it is for kids. The DVD comes with the Oscar-winning short film Paperman, deleted and extended scenes, and making-of featurettes.

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Red Dawn

Chris Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson take the reins in this remake of the 1984 action film. This time, the invading forces are North Koreans, and they take over Spokane, WA. Lucky for Spokane, its best and brightest young adults are ready to fight for freedom. Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki also star in the unnecessary remake that suffers from a laughable script and distinct lack of charm that the original had. The DVD include four making-of featurettes.

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Check out one more new release after the jump.

Well, it looks like the Twilight Saga will be going out in style — at the box office, anyway. Breaking Dawn Part 2 took in a whopping $141.3 million in its opening weekend, leaving the rest of the movies in the dust. Last week's winner, Skyfall, dropped to second with $41.5 million, while Lincoln benefited from its wide release, earning an impressive $21 million. Wreck-It Ralph slipped to fourth with $18.3 million, while Flight rounded out the top five with $8.6 million. Other newcomers Silver Linings Playbook and Anna Karenina took in less than a half million each but are expected to fare much better once they expand.

Audiences flocked to see Skyfall this weekend, helping the new chapter of James Bond easily top the box office with a total of $87.8 million, and it broke the record for the biggest opening in the Bond franchise. Last week's No. 1, Wreck-It Ralph, came in behind the spy flick with $33.1 million. It was followed by Flight, with $15.1 million, and Argo, with $6.7 million. Taken 2 rounded out the top five, earning $4 million. The weekend's other big release, Lincoln, earned $900,000 in limited release.

Disney's latest animated adventure, Wreck-It Ralph, won the box office this weekend, earning $49.1 million in its opening weekend. Fellow new release Flight took in $25 million, and last week's winner Argo followed it in third with $10.2 million. The Man With the Iron Fists, also new this week, came in fourth with $8.2 million, and Taken 2 hung in there with $6 million.

In Wreck-It Ralph, John C. Reilly voices a video-game villain who's tired of being a bad guy. He sets out on a quest to lose the label, and in doing so, he encounters lots of other characters who are also more than what their two-dimensional selves seem. It's candy-colored and cute, but even if you're not a child yourself, there are plenty of reasons to head out to theaters to see it. Check out my reasons below to find out why Wreck-It Ralph is more than just kids' stuff.

1. It's worth seeing for the video-game references alone. While Wreck-It Ralph does have some made-up games in it, like Sugar Rush, there are plenty of references to old-school video games you'll recognize. There's Q*bert, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Bowser, just to name a few. Be prepared to feel a flood of nostalgia as you remember playing those games as a kid — and feeling like a kid while watching Wreck-It Ralph is a big reason why it's so fun.
2. There's enough grown-up humor. Kids will get a kick out of silly jokes like the double entendre of "Hero's Duty" lobbed by Vanellope (Sarah Silverman), but there's plenty of humor for big kids, too. Not only do the jokes make you laugh, but also, the idea of the video-game world as its own society makes you smirk, especially when you see what the characters do in their off-hours, like drink at bars and attend self-help meetings. Plus, the voices of supporting characters like Jane Lynch and Jack McBrayer recall their usual, funny, prime-time characters.
3. There are deeper themes than your average kids' movie. The fact that protagonist Ralph is a bad guy alerts you early on that this isn't going to be your traditional Disney movie, and while we ride along on Ralph's journey to prove himself, the themes that emerge are pretty mature. There's the frustration in having a reputation you don't like, and the necessity of self-acceptance (as well as a lesson in bullying), but don't worry — it doesn't get overly preachy.