Movie review: Ron’s gone wrong

Movie review: Ron’s gone wrong

We usually enjoy a Sunday evening family movie but today we started the day at the Brisbane premiere of 20th Century Studio’s newest family movie: Ron’s gone wrong. It’s been a while since we enjoyed a movie with the kids at the cinema so this preview was extra special. There seems to have been a shortage of new kid-friendly flicks lately, so Ron’s gone wrong had the whole family excited.


Ron’s gone wrong is an animated adventure about 11-year-old Barney Pudowski who receives a defective robot or B-Bot for his birthday. The robot who is voiced by the incredibly hilarious Zach Galifianakis is missing essential code and has to learn how to be a friend to Barney whom himself has social issues to contend with. The movie is set in a world much like our own, where humans are immersed in technology and social media and it draws on many real-world scenarios and issues. 

RON’S GONE WRONG – (L-R): Barney (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer) and Ron (voiced by Zack Galifianakis). © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.


Ron’s gone wrong is very much about trying to make meaningful connections in the digital age and though it calls out big tech and their predatory tendencies, it also celebrates some of the positive aspects of technology and social media.


Young viewers will probably see a lot of themselves in this movie, from the social integration at school, the race for popularity on social media and competing for ‘Views’ and ‘Likes’ online. Parents will appreciate the real-world references and the tech-based humour too. There’s definitely something for the whole family.


As with all Disney properties, you can always expect a few Marvel/Star Wars easter eggs throughout the movie so keep an eye out for the cool B-Bot skins and Disney references. 

RON’S GONE WRONG – (Bottom row, center): Ron (voiced by Zack Galifianakis). © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.


While the concept and plot borrow closely from many other movies like Big Hero 6, The Iron Giant, NextGen, and even I, Robot, the awkward friendship between the 2 protagonists and the impact it has on so many relationships makes for a heartwarming and wholesome movie experience. After being deprived of the cinema experience for some time, I think we can all appreciate the feel-good vibes Ron brings to us through the screen.

(L-R): Ron (voiced by Zack Galifianakis) and Barney (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer). © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.


Ron’s gone wrong is showing in cinemas from Thursday 28 October 2021.

Special thanks to 20th Century Studios Australia, Shout Communications, Event Cinemas Myer Centre, and Review Brisbane for facilitating, hosting and inviting us to this event.

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