Ratchet & Clank Movie Review

By: Lynn Barker

In Ratchet & Clank, a good guy (good Lombax) spaceship mechanic dreams of joining the elite Galactic Rangers and protecting the Galaxy. He is rebuffed as “not good enough” but when he teams with a broken robot loser named Clank and they find a planet-destroying weapon, they are thrust into heroism.

Ratchet Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Ratchet’s Dream

Ratchet (voiced by James Arnold Taylor), a scrappy feline/foxy being called a Lombax, works in a garage tuning up space vehicles for his boss and pal Grimroth (John Goodman). The little guy wants to be a Galactic Ranger and adventure around the galaxy doing good like his idol, the “thinks-he’s-all-that” Captain Quark (Jim Ward).

Captain Quark (Jim Ward)Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Dream Come True

Ratchet gets his chance with the Rangers when one of his souped-up little filers helps the Rangers stop a big robot attack launched by evil corporate head Drek (Paul Giamatti). Seems Drek has decided to destroy planets in a scheme to take the left-overs to build one he can rule.

Charman Drek (Paul Giamatti) with NefariousCourtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Meeting a Lifetime Pal

While on his adventures, feisty Ratchet discovers an overly-concerned about everything, small reject of Drek’s war-robot line. Ratchet names this bucket of bolts Clank (David Kaye) and takes him on as co-pilot and buddy.

Ratchet Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Bring on the Girls… and Baddies

Ratchet is assigned to more experienced Ranger Cora (Bella Thorne) who is fierce about everything. There is also nerdy but sexy Elaris (Rosario Dawson) on the squad. Joining the baddie ranks are Drek’s robot enforcer Victor (Sly Stallone) and his vengeful rather than “mad” scientist helper Dr. Nefarious (Armin Shimerman). Which “team” will be successful in either saving or ruling the galaxy? 

Victor von Ion (Sylvester Stallone)Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Ratchet & Clank Trailer

Wrapping Up

Unlikely, underdog heroes are always popular but Ratchet & Clank gives us a lot of shoot-em-up with little story substance or character development  All characters are quite one-dimensional with little time to get to know them before another shoot-out or blow-it-up occurs. Lombax Ratchet reminds us of a less clever Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket Raccoon. The females in the film are cookie-cutter shapely and take-no-prisoners feisty.. etc.  

Elaris (Rosario Dawson)Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures

There are valuable messages about heroism, friendship and discovering one's own identity and a lesson about false heroes but they aren’t taught cleverly.  Lame running jokes about Ranger minions constantly being told to stop texting or using their smartphones, vomit jokes and how funny Drek’s Segway-like scooter is get old quickly. Voice actors are all competent. James Arnold Taylor has voiced Ratchet since the game began and Bella Thorne does fine as often angry-sounding Cora. Pros John Goodman, Paul Giamatti and Sylvester Stallone should be in a better movie.

Grimroth fist bumpsCourtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Ratchet & Clank is decent Saturday morning cartoon entertainment. It will probably entertain kids under ten or those nostalgia buffs who have played the PlayStation games since 2002. Everybody else, wait for the video or On Demand offering. We go 3 stars. 

Ratchet & Clank Movie Rating:

Ratchet and Clank PosterCourtesy of Gramercy Pictures

Ratchet & Clank is in theaters now!

Have Your Say

Do you disagree and think any form of Ratchet & Clank is awesome? Do stock, save the galaxy cartoons bore you? Let us know with a comment.