Hey guys. Ratigan6688 here. Now that 2018 is almost over and that I have seen both Incredibles 2 and Wreck It Ralph 2, I thought I'd express a few before and after type of thoughts about them. I admit, neither of these sequels quite turned out as great as I'd hoped, but it was still fun to anticipate them after having little to anticipate in 2017. Er, not that I thought 2017 films were bad, just "mehs" for my taste. So as you may have guessed, I'm also going to share a few thoughts about them, even though I've already written reviews on them, including what I would have done differently. I'll show you what I mean in a few minutes.
First let's start with....
Incredibles 2[]
This isn't quite as incredible as I thought.
Before: I loved the first Incredibles mainly because the idea of a family of superheroes was a great idea. I was hoping this sequel would be one of those that show the events of the first film changed their lives before getting into the new problem. What I hoped for this one would be a new supervillain threatening the world in a much darker tone, with some comedy to it. When I heard that the story did involve Elastigirl taking part in a legal campaign to bring superheroes back I thought to myself "Um, that's kind of a continuity error with the first film, but I guess I can overlook that if the action and characters do so well."
What I did like and wish had more focus on: For starters, I liked Jack-Jack fighting the raccoon. That got plenty of laughs. I also liked that scene where Bob tells Violet that he wants to be a good father. For me, that shows the family themes. I also liked Violet and Dash taking matters in their own hands during the climax. Those sort of things are sneaky and fun, and it shows the siblings working together instead of fighting.
What I didn't like: I tried to overlook it, but the setup for starters. With supers still being illegal, I thought it kind of felt like not only continuity errors to the first film, but also subtle rehashed leftovers that could have been told in the first film. Besides, when it comes to political nonsense, I only think of fussing, complaining, and unfair anger. And unfortunately, the majority of the characters do that throughout the entire film, particularly the police, Mr. Incredible, and even the villain. And speaking of which, that's another thing I dislike. The motivation is unfair, it wasn't the supers' fault when the bad thing happened with the rich dad, and it's unentertaining, both compared to Syndrome and as a stand alone villain. For me, these problems hold this sequel back from being even better than the first.
What I would have done instead: If I were in charge, I'd change the setup. First start off with the Incredibles fighting crime, to show how happy they are now that the world has welcomed supers back in public after saving them from the Omnidroid, then have a much darker threat come a little later. The threat would be a supervillain trying to wipe out all supers in order to dominate the world, but not before taking some DNA like hair or blood to use their superpowers for his/her own power; pretty much a mixture of Lord Shen and Kai from the Kung Fu Panda sequels. If you remember from the first film, Mr. Incredible was horrified when he discovered so many supers' death! This sequel I'm imagining could have expanded with this emotionally dark moment more! The Incredibles would take a "family mission / vacation" in looking for the remaining superheroes to save from from extinction while also solving some family problems.
As it is, it's just not for me.
Now let's talk about.....
Ralph Breaks The Internet[]
Um....
Before: I thought the first Wreck It Ralph told the story so emotionally well, I didn't care whether or not they made a sequel. Then when it was said that Rich Moore had ideas about a sequel involving console and online gaming, I thought it sounded cool. When it was changed to taking place on the Internet, I was slightly disapointed since it didn't seem nostalgic like the various arcade games from the first film, but I was nevertheless excited to see the characters again. I was so sure, they would up the characters and creativity, make new refreshed Disney sequels since most of the ones they've made to the WDAS films were....junk.
What I liked: Like most of the Disney Revival films, it is colorful. Plus they way the set up the Internet is like a big city. Google looked like a big city skyscraper, the way the search bar works, transportation used to direst internet users to where they want to go, pop up ads like street salesmen, and ad blockers looking like FBI bodyguards. But of course the real highlight was the Disney Princess jokes. I loved how they made so many references to their classic Disney moments, including the use of water for their "I Want" songs. And even though there wasn't as much time spent on Oh My Disney, I loved seeing various Disney cameos, particularly Nick Wilde. Also, Felix and Calhoun adopting the Sugar Rush racers was pretty clever. I also LOVED that pancake/milkshake scene in the mid-credits.
What I didn't like: Well, I thought the beginning of the film felt a little rushed for starters. It just didn't quite feel like it was taking its time. The time spent on the Internet didn't quite feel like a cinematic adventure, Vanellope wanting to stay in Slaughter Race didn't quite grab me, and Ralph did a couple stupid out of character moments. He made the new track in Sugar Rush when he was clearly was supposed to be in his own game, and how he deliberately unleashed the virus in Slaughter Race. The characterizations and conflict didn't match the same heart as the first film for me. It was also a little too "heart-acing" when Vanellope and Ralph parted ways in the end. I know they still keep in touch and visit time to time, but I just couldn't get into it (I had to draw a cartoon using 2 of my comic book characters to help me get through it). And Ralph doing Internet stuff to get more hearts just felt "eh".
What I would have done instead: I haven't thought too much into this as much as I did with Incredibles 2, but for starters I'd probably have the setup involving ALL the arcade characters being forced to move into the Internet as Litwak's arcade is closing down. Ralph would be upset in that he lost the good life he had after finally accepting his role as a bad guy. Now he's having an identity crisis. As for the main antagonist, I'd have 2 possible villains. One like Brother Blood from Teen Titans believing Ralph's strength would make his virus powers more powerful and use it to dominate the Internet. In the process, he's remind Ralph how bad he was treated just because he was a bad guy, using Internet comments as reminders. Another possible villain I thought of while anticipating this sequel would be a virus hunter similar to DuBois from Madagascar 3, wanting to hunt Ralph down due to his hatred of bad guys and possibly for his own selfish glory! Also, I'd give Felix and Calhoun more time on screen developing their roles as parents; Felix not having enough disciplining skills while Calhoun would have too much discipline. It would have been pretty funny, and more emotionally developed.
As it is, I guess it's somewhat okay. It is definitely better than most of the crummy direct to video sequels, but I think it just needed a few more storyboard meetings. I don't hate it, I just don't love it as much as the 1st film.
Well, those are pieced out thoughts on the 2018 animated films I've been anticipating. Hopefully 2019 will be better for me. But what do you guys think?