The Minority Report - "Wreck-It Ralph" (2012)

I remember spending endless quarters in arcades. I am not old enough to remember the prime time of the arcade cabinet, but instead I was playing the classics with my reminiscing father in the belly of the slow dying beast. It was only a few years ago that the arcade finally closed their doors after years of struggling, but I am still sentimental about playing video games in an arcade. I would like to think that the people who made Wreck-It Ralph were similar to my father and me. People who grew up playing these games, respect these games, and are current with the state of video games and the arcade.

I am not biased positively because I like video games as much as I do. In fact, I view myself as a more skeptical and difficult critic to impress. What is the short verdict? I loved Wreck-it Ralph. This is how you correctly do a video game movie. It’s a story that has many levels, there is an emotional connection between characters, it tackles the bullying issue, and it looks at the presence of arcades in America. All of these issues work with the touching story that tells, unlike the earlier Disney animated movies that came out this year like Brave. I left that movie with a sour taste in my mouth, but Wreck-It Ralph redeemed Disney and left me with perhaps the most entertaining movie of the year, if not one of the best.

The story follows Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) who is a villain in his video game, Fix-it Felix, and wants to become a hero. Other video games make appearances in cameos (Qbert, Sonic, Bowser, etc.) and they all interact with the world that Ralph inhabits. He leaves his video game to go into another (a big no-no) to try and achieve greatness. He then goes into Hero’s Duty and causes chaos by dragging the sergeant (Jane Lynch) into the adventure. Afterwards, Ralph finds himself in the kart racing game Sugar Rush—a colorful world that features references to far more than video games. Here, he meets a small lovable girl named Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman), who happens to be a “glitch” in the game. It is the relationship between Ralph and von Schweetz that truly inspires the movie. It’s touching and loving. It may take place in a virtual world, but it hits home in reality.

A surprise to me was the music in the movie. Henry Jackman has a sweeping soundtrack that compliments the films feel and ever changing tones. More current artists (Owl City, Skrillex) also are in the movie, which I do not hate (in fact, for the most part, I enjoyed it). There was one misstep concerning a Rihanna song, which seemed forced. The film is absolutely gorgeous. I saw the movie in 3D, which I enjoy. I feel this movie would be just as good without the 3D, though. The dialogue is intelligent and quick-moving. Overall, it is a clever and creative film that had me crying as well as laughing. The one issue I have with the movie is the ending concerning the chase and final battle. It bugged me because this event seemed too long and its villain seemed too frightening for small children.

“I’m gonna Wreck it!” is a phrase that still brings a smile to my face. This movie is nothing like watching paint dry. The final product is admiral art, just like its subject matter.

By V-Dawg

The Minority Report - "Lincoln" (2012)

The so-called “ploy” of Watching Paint Dry is that we have a college-aged perception on modern movies that come out. Our movie criticism is built on a few college-level courses in film, our unique majors which do not relate to films, and the countless number of other films that we have seen. That being said, Lincoln is a great movie. I do not recommend it if you are going on a date or in the mood for a high-flying adventure. The movie is definitely made for an older generation—its lack of visual stimuli (that is not to say it isn't pretty, because the cinematography is fantastic), for example. This movie was like watching an intriguing, down to Earth old man sit down in various places and tell stories. The intriguing aspect comes from the fact that the old man is President Lincoln in the heat of the debate over the 13th amendment.

I am not going to go over the synopsis of the film, because it is about Lincoln. We all should know the trials and tribulations of Lincoln. If not, go read some things. In fact, this movie is based on the novel Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Goodwin. So, if you know Lincoln and know the history, why should you go see this movie? It is truly the phenomenal acting and excellent writing that make this seem like you are seeing the president in a new light.

Daniel-Day Lewis is Lincoln in this film. There was not a doubt in my mind that this is how the president would be (having never met the man, I cannot fully answer confidently on how Lincoln would act, but still). The film is exceptional in the way it treats the story of the 13^th amendment, its viewing of how American was then, and the depiction of the emotional toll the Civil War had on Americans. This also showcased the emotional strain that leading the country in such a vital time had.

It is hard to not like Lincoln, as it would be almost anti-patriotic to dislike this movie. There are a few items I did not like. Gulliver McGrath’s (playing Lincoln’s youngest son) performance was serviceable, but not the greatest. The ending also did a strange reflection of Lincoln in a flame on his death bed (Spoilers?). Overall this movie is compelling because of the intriguing character of Lincoln and the excellent acting. We will be seeing this movie, not as paint on the wall, but instead winning awards when the season arrives.

By V-Dawg

PS. I am proud of myself for writing this review absent of any Lincoln being shot, hat, or tall jokes/puns.