Tuesday, April 9, 2013

"I'm Gonna Wreck It! "

I was watching Wreck It Ralph with my kids yesterday (for like the 100th time since my 2-year-old got it in his Easter basket. Haha), and it occurred to me what an incredibly amazing movie it is. I mean, when I first saw it in theaters, I fell in love with the characters and thought the storyline was super creative, but I had a little epiphany while watching it this time around. I don't know - maybe seeing it again for the 100th time triggered something new in my mind, which is usually otherwise preoccupied with dinner menues and to-do lists. ;)

So, for those of you who haven't seen the movie yet, let me warn you in advance that there are some spoilers in this blog post. I don't want to be accused of ruining the movie for anyone who lives in La-La Land and hasn't been subjected to the AWESOMENESS that is Wreck It Ralph. Who knows - maybe you don't have any kids, or maybe you are just opposed to puppy dogs and rainbows - and basically all things happy. lol. Seriously though, if you haven't seen the movie yet, SEE IT! Then come back here and read this post! You're welcome, America. ;)

Anyway, Wreck It Ralph is about a "bad guy" character in a video game that suddenly, after 30 years of being the bad guy, has an existential epiphany and begins to wonder if there is more to life than being bad. The opening scene in the Bad Anon meeting is absolutely hilarious, but it's also when we first get a glimpse into the heart of this big, "bad guy" named Ralph. In the meeting, Ralph is surrounded by bad guy characters from other classic video games, and he begins to express his doubts about being a bad guy. He communicates a curiosity for how life would be if he could just once experience life through the eyes of the hero, which in his game, happens to be the oh-so-revered Fix-It Felix, Jr., who follows behind Ralph fixing everything he wrecks with a magical hammer that he received from his dad. Fix-It Felix, Jr. is loved and adored by all of the "Nicelanders," who are constantly praising him and bringing him pies.

Upon hearing his desires, the other bad guys in the meeting express their concerns that Ralph is losing his mind - and perhaps that he is "going Turbo." They just can't seem to fathom how any bad guy in his right mind would WANT to be good.

“Turbo? No, I'm not going Turbo! C'mon guys! Is it 'Turbo' to want a friend? Or a medal? Or a piece of pie every once in a while? Is it 'Turbo' to want more out of life?” 

Aww...poor Ralph. We're sorry, Buddy. We feel ya on that score - especially where the pie is concerned. ;)

So yeah, Ralph sets out on a mission to win a medal in order to prove to the Nicelanders that just because you're a "bad guy," it doesn't mean you have to be a BAD guy. He eventually wins a medal in a game called Heroe's Duty - which he in turn loses to a ridiculously annoying, and oh-so-hilarious character, Vanellope von Schweetz. They then join forces to try and win a race that would be their ticket to a new life. Together, they overcome the evil "King Candy," and in the process, Ralph discovers what it is to be a true friend - and ultimately, that anyone CAN be a good guy.

It was a heart-warming film (yes, I shed a few tears - in more than one spot during the movie), which shows the human's potential to love and to sacrifice of oneself. It also serves as a great example of how each of us can overcome the "programming" and the obstacles we are born with in order to rise above what is natural and choose the right. I know that our society wants us to believe in this enormously annoying idea that we have to accept what we are (the natural man), and give in to our innate desires - because, "Baby, I was born this way." Well, I am sorry, but that is a load of garbage - and thankfully, the gospel teaches a higher law.

As children of our Heavenly Father, we have such amazing, divine potential. And yes, we ARE born with certain obstacles - some more severe than others. But as His children, whose desire in coming to this Earth was to prove our faith and return to Him, we are each expected to overcome the trials which we are dealt in this life.

It's nice to see a movie in this day and age that has a good, powerful message for once. So yeah - Ralph, you are my hero. ;)


Source: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com via The Purple on Pinterest



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