Wreck It Ralph Review

Back in November the girls and I whizzed off to Disneyland Paris to attend the premier of Disney's newest animation, Wreck-It Ralph. The movie goes on full release this weekend and here's why we think it should be top of your half term 'To Do' list.

Set in the 'behind the scenes' world of arcade game characters, Wreck-It Ralph is a clever, colourful, classic tale of underdog coming good that appeals to the whole family.

Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) has been overshadowed by Fix-It Felix, Jr. (voiced by Jack McBrayer), the good-guy star of their game who always gets to save the day. Tired of playing the role of a bad guy, Ralph takes matters into his own massive hands and sets off on a journey across the arcade through multiple generations of video games to prove he’s got what it takes to be a hero.

Vanellope von Schweetz in Sugar Rush

On his quest, Ralph meets tough-as-nails Sergeant Calhoun (voiced by Jane Lynch) from the first-personaction game Hero’s Duty, and feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman) from the candy-coated cart-racing game Sugar Rush, who may just tun out to be Ralph's first real friend. But everything changes when a deadly enemy is unleashed, threatening the entire arcade. Of course, Ralph finally gets his chance to save the day—but can he do it in time? 

Ralph in the World of Hero’s Duty 

I love the way Wreck-It Ralph taps into the nostalgia of classic 8 bit arcade games from the 1970's and 80's and combines it with modern candy coated animation (Sugar Rush) and awesome first-person shooter animation (Hero's Duty) as Ralph game hops to save the day.

I'm notorious for falling asleep in a darkened cinema, but Wreck-It Ralph had me chuckling and entertained from beginning to end. It's a feel good movie that's set to become a Disney classic. 

Word of warning though... when you get home, you may just be itching to dust down that old Commodore 64 and indulge in a spot of gaming, old skool stylie!

Ralph in his own 8Bit Game - Fix It Felix JR.

Wreck-It Ralph crashes onto the big screen on February 8, 2013. You can see it in Disney Digital 3D™ in select cinemas. No prizes for guessing what we'll be up to this weekend! The girls are desperate to see it again.

Check out the official Wreck-It Ralph website at www.disney.co.uk/wreck-it-ralph there are some cool games you can download (just incase you got rid of your C64 years ago!).

Disney African Cats Is Awesome

I grew up in the 70's on a TV diet of The Wonderful World of Disney. The already dated True-Life Adventures created my love of wildlife documentaries.

Originally released in the early 1950's the documentaries were unique, enlightening, magical and totally awe-inspiring.
Walt Disney famously said that "Nature writes the screenplays," and last night whilst sitting in a packed cinema with my own children watching African Cats, I totally felt the magic of Disney once again.

The new DisneyNature film is essentially a story of family life. A single mother raising five children on her own and an ageing mother desperately trying to keep up with her toddler. But these are big cats not humans.

Sita is a strong, formidable cheetah with five (very cute) bundles of fluff and Layla, the most experienced lioness of the River Pride is struggling to regain her strength following an injury whilst hunting.

The cinematography on this movie is breathtaking, the Masai Mara planes may look stunningly beautiful but they are full of danger for both Layla and Sita. Each mother struggling in different ways.

I'm not going to spoil the story but African Cats is quite simply the best movie experience I've had in a long, long time. 

As we were at the Royal Premiere along with the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge we also got to take part in a Q & A with some of the crew and listen to the Duke speak about his own conservation work with TUSK. 

It was a truly amazing night. I was with Sonny (11), Biba (10) and Betty (8) and they all loved it too. As Biba said to Betty;

"Not everyone can say they just watched a movie with the future king."

I guess she's right!

If there's one movie you go to see over the next few weeks - make it African Cats.

After a family poll we rate it a whopping 10 out of 10.

Visit the Disney African Cats Site here and take a look at Domestic Goddesque's review too.
African Cats opens on 27th April.
Thank you to Disney for inviting us to such a fab event.

What I Wore Wednesday : Win Disney Vintage

OK, I'm cheating today but I've been feeling pretty rank for the last few days and for once clothes are the last thing on my mind.

So instead I'm giving you the chance to win this beautiful girls dress from The Disney Vintage Collection.

Handmade in the UK, Snow White fans will love the classic cotton dress with a beautiful vintage style print and a huge oversized bow.

The dress that I have to give away is an age 8. It will be perfect for a little girl aged from 6 to 8.

Disney Vintage Kit Dress is £85 exclusively from Selfridges.

Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway The giveaway ends on 20/12/11, if the winner responds with their details by return the dress will be posted on 21/12/11 and should arrive in time for Christmas.
UK Only.

Disney Back to School Giveaway

I mentioned these fab Disney Stationary sets in my back to school post and now I have some to giveaway.

The reusable Cars and Tangled carry cases are packed with everything a little one needs to get organised in the stationary department including pens, highlighters, notebook, ruler, sticky notes and tape.

I have one Cars and one Tangled set worth £10 each to give away - please make sure you state which design you'd like to win.

Good luck!

Enter using this really cool new geeky widget!