Ralph Breaks the Internet

You can read our full thoughts on Walt Disney Pictures Ralph Breaks the Internet in our review of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray HERE or the 4K digital version in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos HERE.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment brings Ralph Breaks the Internet to Blu-ray as a two-disc combo pack with a flyer for a Disney Digital Copy. The Region Free, BD50 disc sits comfortably on the panel opposite a DVD-9 copy of the movie. Both are housed inside a blue, eco-vortex case with an embossed, glossy slipcover. At startup, the disc commences with skippable trailers before switching to a menu screen with the standard options, music playing in the background and full-motion clips.

Ralph wrecks Blu-ray with a spectacularly beautiful, reference-quality 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, layering this wildly imaginative vision of the internet with so much happening in the background that fans will be sure to revisit the movie a few times to see what they've missed. The tiniest object flying through the air, the pulsating beams of light flashing all around and the small digital 16-bit-like icons of visitors are always distinct from a distance. Closer shots of characters reveal the amount of work that went into designing the stitching of clothing, especially the threading in Vanellope's sweater and socks and the creases in Shank's leather jacket. Some of the best, go-to moments take place inside the Slaughter Race where viewers can plainly make out every imperfection and blemish in the buildings, billboards, and streets of the dingy neighborhoods, even during the action-packed race. 

The mesmerizing visuals are brought to life by spot-on contrast, keeping the action upbeat and vibrant even during the plot's darker, more somber second half. Viewers can make out the smaller aspects within the brightest, hottest whites where highlights remain crisp and sparkling without losing any of their luminous radiance. Meanwhile, black levels are oozing and velvety throughout with outstanding gradational detailing and visibility within the blackest corners of the frame, providing the 2.39:1 image with a three-dimensional quality. And as would be expected, the CG-animated sequel is showered in sumptuously gorgeous primaries with an impressive assortment of blues everywhere. Best of all is the hypnotic, eye-catching array of secondary hues and pastels bringing all the silliness to life, and while the sequence with the Disney princesses is great, I would suggest the aforementioned, strikingly captivating streets of the Slaughter Race as beautiful demo-worthy material. (Video Rating: 98/100)

Ralph and Vanellope upgrade to the world wide web with the digital help of a fantastic, near-reference DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack that pulsates with life and excitement. 

In the opening moments when we find our protagonists chilling in the power-strip community, the commotion of other video game properties almost instantly fills the surrounds, and it stays that way for a majority of the runtime. Later, when visiting the internet search hug, the voices of characters echo all around, the sounds of digital beeps bounce from one speaker to the next, and icons travel from one side of the room to the other with flawless panning, generating a highly-satisfying and immersive soundfield. However, the design is not always consistently enveloping, but the best demo-worthy moments are when a battle erupts inside the Slaughter Race game or in the second half of the movie.

On the other hand, quieter, dialogue-driven sequences are precise and well-prioritized amid an energetic, overflowing soundstage. Displaying superb distinction and separation within the midrange, imaging continuously feels broad and spacious as various ambient effects fluidly move between the front channels and into the off-screen space convincingly. Henry Jackman's score also displays plenty of warmth and fidelity while lightly bleeding into the sides, and while the low-end may not the sort of punch the visuals would imply, bass is nonetheless robust with a sturdy, palpable weight in the music and action. (Audio Rating: 92/100)

• How We Broke the Internet (HD, 33 min): With lots of interviews and BTS footage, the piece is a fairly in-depth look at the creation of the internet and the characters.
• The Music (HD, 10 min): Discussion on the music and song selections with interviews of Imagine Dragons, Julia Michaels, Alan Menken and Sarah Silverman.
• Surfing for Easter Eggs (HD, 4 min): A few minutes revealing the various allusions.
• BuzzzTube Cats (HD, 2 min): Compilation of the videos used in the film.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 19 min): Five deleted scenes with intros from directors Rich Moore and Phil Johnston. 

1. Into the Internet
2. Opposites
3. Domestic Hell
4. Bubble of One
5. Recruiting Grandma

• Music Videos (HD, 8 min): Imagine Dragons performs "Zero," and Julia Michaels performs "In This Place." 

Six years after the events of the first movie, Ralph and Vanellope are uploaded to the world wide web in Ralph Breaks the Internet, expounding on the themes of its predecessor with issues about insecurity and anxieties in the digital realm of high-speed information. Although a few moments can feel somewhat weighty for younger audiences, the filmmakers take our heroes on a journey of self-discovery is fantastically entertaining fashion while dazzling the imagination. The Blu-ray arrives with a demo-worthy HD presentation and a highly-satisfying DTS-HD MA soundtrack. Featuring a small but nonetheless enjoyable set of supplements, the overall package is Recommended for animation fans and families everywhere.