Wreck-It Ralph's Out Now in the US - What Are the Critics Saying?

Us unlucky blighters elsewhere in the world will have to suffer through months of rave reviews, but, as of today, American audiences can check out Walt Disney Animation Studios' 52nd animated feature film, Wreck-It Ralph, in cinemas! The film which takes place inside the world of arcade video-games, and is directed by Simpsons veteran Rich Moore, has been the most hotly anticipated animated film of the year, and, judging by reviews, it's been worth the wait.

Wreck-It Ralph currently holds an 84%, Certified Fresh, rating on Rotten Tomatoes (with an 89% Top Critics rating), with the consensus reading:

Equally entertaining for both kids and parents old enough to catch the references, Wreck-It Ralph is a clever, colorful adventure built on familiar themes and joyful nostalgia.

Rolling Stone's Peter Travers calls it "hilariously infectious" and TIME's Mary Pols hails it as the year's "most inventive and entertaining family movie", continuing that "Creatively speaking, it is cut from the same appealing cloth as Toy Story".

The Hollywood Reporter also enthuses over the film, with Justin Lowe summarising that "With a mix of retro eye-candy for grown-ups and a thrilling, approachable storyline for the tykes, the film casts a wide and beguiling net." IGN is even more enthusiastic, with Chris Carle declaring that "Wreck-It Ralph is not only the best animated film of the year, it's the best video game movie ever made."

Blog-wise, Mike Bastoli from Big Screen Animation gave the film a similarly glowing review, saying "Walt Disney Animation's 52nd feature, opening November 2nd, is the best animated movie of 2012."

Not everyone is entirely pleased with the film though, and The Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan thinks that "the narrative itself is overly busy, noisy and unengaging, with little of the charm and heart that won viewers over in the “Toy Story” franchise, allowing that film to transcend its roots in the world of inanimate playthings."

Getting equal praise is the accompanying short film, the groundbreaking Paperman - head over to Cartoon Brew to read an interview with the short's director, John Kahrs.

Wreck-It Ralph and Paperman are playing as of today in the US, but, alas, don't open here until well into next year, 15th February... at least it looks like it's worth the wait.