Ratchet and Clank movie review
Ratchet and Clank movie
Pros
- Family-friendly fun
- Great animation
- Good sense of humour
- Vocal cast
Cons
- Ratchet gets annoying
Ratchet & Clank – you may be aware of this duo thanks to the console games. Coinciding with the release of the movie based on the game, which also has a game based on this movie… I was asked if I’d like to pop down for a pre-release screening a few weeks ago. Due to embargos, it is only now that I am able to post my review.
GadgetyNews doesn’t get sent to watch many films, unless it’s to show off the latest projector or big screen telly so, with pop corn (red wine) in hand, I settled in to the comfy chairs in the Screening Rooms to watch the animated adventures of the space-age heroes.
Ratchet and Clank tells the story of two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy – and it’s out today, April 29th!
When the two stumble upon a dangerous weapon capable of destroying entire planets, they must join forces with a team of colorful heroes called The Galactic Rangers in order to save the galaxy.
Ratchet and Clank movie storyline
The movie takes you right back to when Ratchet, a Lombax, first meets a malfunctioning robot who was supposed to be a huge battle droid, called Clank.
Ratchet is a mechanic who dreams of joining the Galactic Rangers who just so happen to start recruiting. Good job really else this could’ve been a very short film.
[SPOILER] Our two heroes join forces with The Galactic Rangers to stop the Chairman and his evil plans for the galaxy.
Ratchet is the last of his kind who grew up without a family. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn.
Together, they must stop the evil Chairman Drek and Doctor Nefarious from utilising this dangerous technology. Along the way, Ratchet and Clank learn valuable lessons about heroism, friendship and discovering one’s own identity. Tis a beautiful thing.
Ratchet and Clank movie review
For fans of the games, it’s a pretty tight adaptation, though there are a few changes. For kids (of all ages) who aren’t even aware of the game, it’s definitely fun.
The colours in this movie really pop and the animation is pretty slick. But, for me, it was the tongue-in-cheek humour that is woven throughout the entire film that makes it watchable.
Ratchet and Clank takes the original’s wry sense of humour and runs with it, throwing in contemporary nods as well as a few more knowing moments for the audience.
[youtube id=”zNRdTHDbe_0″]
A lot of the humour is definitely aimed at a younger audience which should have them sniggering, but there are a few moments of almost pantomime gold.
The voice cast is varied, to say the least: Paul Giamatti steps up as Chairman Drek, Bella Thorne and Rosario Dawson voice rangers Cora and Elaris respectively, and Sylvester Stallone has a role as Drek’s robotic lieutenant.
James Arnold Taylor reprises his role from the games as Ratchet, but the character is a bit too earnest and goody-goody for my taste.
For me it was Clank, voiced by David Kaye, who was the true hero.
Ratchet and Clank movie review conclusion
Ratchet and Clank is good fun and did have me laugh out loud on occasion but don’t go in to this expecting a comedic masterpiece.
It does barrel along at a good pace and its sense of humour does create a great, fun space romp that has plenty of character and charm.
The Ratchet and Clank movie manages to capture the spirit of its source material and turn it into a fun adventure for the big screen.
