Wreck-It Ralph - 2012

Movie Info
Rating: PG
Age-appropriateness: multiple scenes where video game characters shoot at aliens, slapstick comedy, mild language/insults
Overview: A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.
Themes: identity, stereotypes, sacrifice, reconciliation, anger, jealousy, works righteousness, outcasts, bullying, bad guys, good guys, transformation, judgement, bullying
The Quick 3
Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.
1. Identity. What would your nickname be, if you were to use a description of yourself like Ralph and Felix? What is the truest thing about who you are?
Ralph calls himself a "wrecker". Felix is the "fixer". These were the truest things about them - it was their identity. That's why they were called "Wreck-it Ralph" and "Fix-it Felix".
Check out this article on How to Talk To Your Child About Their Identity.
2. Bad guys. Have you ever considered yourself a "bad guy"? What bad things have you done?
Ralph was a bad guy. In fact, in a way, we are all bad guys. Romans 3:23 says, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Because God is perfect, He is the opposite of sin. So our sin separates us from God. But God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life. Jesus chose to give up His life on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we'd no longer be "bad guys". Now, in God's eyes, we're good guys! And it's all because of Jesus.
3. Sacrifice. Why do you think Jesus was willing to sacrifice Himself on the cross? How should we respond to Jesus's love?
Ralph sacrificed himself to save the others. Jesus did the very same thing for us. He saw that we were in trouble and there was nothing we could do about it. 1 Peter 2:24 says, "He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." Jesus loved us so much that he gave himself up for us, so that we could get the reward that only Jesus deserves. And now we can close to God again- all because of Jesus!
After The Movie Discussion Guide
Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.
1. Ralph often felt excluded. He wanted to be a part of the community, but others were mean and regularly left him out. Have you ever felt left out? When was the last time you felt really lonely?
2. People didn’t believe in Ralph because they thought he was just a bad guy. They underestimated his potential. Is there anyone in your life that you think is a bad guy? Do you think they will always be bad, or do you believe they can change and be good?
3. Ralph wanted to prove himself to his friends by winning a medal. He thought if he showed that he did enough good stuff, then he would earn their friendship. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Do you ever feel like you have to earn God's love? What does it mean to receive grace from Jesus?
4. Ralph was a bad guy. In fact, in a way, we are all bad guys. Romans 3:23 says, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Because God is perfect, He is the opposite of sin. So our sin separates us from God. But God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life. Jesus chose to give up His life on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we'd no longer be "bad guys". Now, in God's eyes, we're good guys! And it's all because of Jesus. Have you ever considered yourself a "bad guy"? What bad things have you done?
5. Ralph is jealous of Felix and the attention he gets from other people. Turbo got jealous of Road Blasters. Turbo's jealousy resulted in him making bad decisions, and multiple games went "out of order" as a result. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. When we get jealous, we hurt ourselves and the person we’re jealous of. Have you ever been jealous of someone else?
6. Venellope learned to use her glitch and Ralph learned to wreck things for good. What other people said was bad about them, actually were special traits that they used to help others. God can use anything and anyone to spread love and joy into the world. Even things that initially seem bad. Genesis 50:20 says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people." Can you think of anything that seemed bad at first, but was actually used for good?
Minute By Minute Guide
Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.
:01 Ralph calls himself a "wrecker". Felix is the "fixer". These were the truest things about them - it was their identity. That's why they were called "Wreck-it Ralph" and "Fix-it Felix". What would your nickname be, if you were to use a description of yourself like Ralph and Felix? What is the truest thing about who you are?
Check out this article on How to Talk To Your Child About Their Identity.
:06 The PAC-MAN ghost says “you can’t change yourself...the sooner you accept that the better”. Ralph wants to change and improve to be a better person. That’s awesome! Do you think anyone can change? In what ways do you want to change to be better?
:09 Ralph wasn’t invited to the party. How do you think that made him feel? Have you ever been left out of something that your friends were doing?
:22 The game is out of order. The Nicelanders realized just how much they need Ralph. Even though they excluded him, they came to realize that he actually contributed a lot and was important. Have you ever disregarded someone, only to later realize how important they were?
:35 Venellope is called a “glitch”. In a video game, a "glitch" is a sudden, usually temporary, malfunction. King Candy and the avatars said they didn’t want to be around her, just because of what she was born like. They looked at her on the outside and made judgements about her insides, without getting to know her. Have you ever made a judgement about someone without getting to know them?
:41 The racers say Venellope is an “accident waiting to happen”. They are bullying her, and she just wants to be their friends. Ralph saw someone being bullied, and he stood up for what was right and supported Venellope. How do you typically respond when you see that someone is being bullied?
Here's an article about How to Talk To Your Kids About Bullying.
:43 When Ralph got angry, he threw a tantrum and started hitting things. What’s a better way to react when we feel angry?
1:02 Ralph believes in Venellope. Romans 12:10 says, "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Did you see the way her confidence soared after Ralph spoke words of encouragement? How can you encourage others in this way?
1:06 Ralph has to decide whether to stay loyal to his friend or to selfishly keep his medal. What would you choose?
1:10 In pursuit of his own selfish accomplishments (getting his medal), Ralph actually reached his goal but still lost everything. Would you ever expect to reach your goal and still lose?
1:15 By simply talking to Ralph, Felix was able to understand his perspective a lot more. In what ways can you begin conversations with people you don’t fully understand?
1:18 Venellope is told once again that she’s an “accident waiting to happen”. Words can really hurt, especially when we repeatedly hear mean things. What have been some mean things said to you?
1:25 Ralph sacrificed himself to save the others. Jesus did the very same thing for us. He saw that we were in trouble and there was nothing we could do about it. 1 Peter 2:24 says, "He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." Jesus loved us so much that he gave himself up for us, so that we could get the reward that only Jesus deserves. And now we can close to God again- all because of Jesus! Why do you think Jesus was willing to sacrifice Himself on the cross? How should we respond to Jesus's love?
1:29 Venellope was able to forgive all of the people who were mean to her. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Who is someone in your life whom you might need to forgive?
1:32 Ralph says “I don’t need a medal to tell me I’m a good guy, because if that kid likes me, how bad can I be?” In a way, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about you: the person we ought to please first must be Jesus and no one else. How can you live your life in a way that firsts honors Jesus?