Ron’s Gone Wrong

As children are immersed into technology at younger ages than ever, Ron’s Gone Wrong might give them more leverage with their skeptical parents.

Mixed messages abound in this animated adventure, which doubles as a half-hearted satire about social-media addiction. It lacks subtlety and conviction while indulging in some of the same superficialities it seeks to subvert.

The story follows Barney (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer), a bullied and socially awkward middle schooler. He lives with his single father, Graham (Ed Helms), is a financially strapped entrepreneur, and his eccentric immigrant grandmother (Olivia Colman).

Barney’s plan to fit in involves acquiring a B*Bot, or a pint-sized robot coded specifically for its owner. All the kids at school have them as near-constant companions.

“I don’t want you addicted to some device,” Graham cautions before relenting when he finds a basic model on the black market, because it’s all he can afford.

Initially elated, Barney is crestfallen when he finds that Ron (Zach Galifianakis) is a generic knockoff whose programming is constantly malfunctioning. Barney initially tries to keep up appearances among his classmates, but Ron’s antics become embarrassing.

Their friendship deteriorates, but Ron later becomes the focal point of a power struggle between the young B*Bot inventor (Justice Smith) and the morally bankrupt executive (Rob Delaney) who personifies corporate greed.

Boasting crisp and colorful animation, the film recombines familiar characters and themes we’ve seen before, while the relationship between boy and machine evolves predictably. At least Galifianakis and Colman deliver one-liners with verve.

The screenplay by Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith (Arthur Christmas) — the latter of which is also one of three credited directors — manages some scattered big laughs but stumbles in its effort to convey genuine charm or emotional depth. The final act bogs down in silly contrivances.

Youngsters might identify with Barney’s insecurities, and perhaps they’ll respond to the lessons of loyalty, self-esteem, and peer pressure. Despite some inspired moments of spontaneous mischief and mayhem, it’s overall more amusing for preteens than their accompanying adults.

Ron’s Gone Wrong practically functions as an infomercial for replica sales of its kid-friendly high-tech gadgetry, should marketers choose that route. After all, its most compelling characters have CPUs rather than brains.

Rated PG, 106 minutes.