Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank

Year: 2016

Runtime: 94 min

Language: English

Directors: Jericca Cleland, Kevin Munroe

ActionAdventureSci-FiComedyAnimationFamily

When a nefarious alien named Chairman Drek threatens the Solana Galaxy with a planet-destroying weapon, it’s up to a resourceful mechanic named Ratchet and his diminutive robot companion, Clank, to stop him. This unlikely duo teams up with the Galactic Rangers, facing danger and adventure as they race against time to save the galaxy from total destruction. Ratchet’s bravery and Clank’s intelligence prove essential to overcoming the challenges ahead.

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Ratchet & Clank (2016) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Ratchet & Clank (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The nefarious Chairman Drek, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, addresses his followers, the Blarg, as they prepare to annihilate an abandoned planet. In a moment of comical reprimand, he catches one of his minions texting and instructs his robotic henchman, Victor Von Ion, to handle the situation. Displaying his ruthless demeanor, Victor resolves the issue by consuming the goon’s phone before the villains successfully destroy the planet.

Meanwhile, in another part of the galaxy, the young lombax named Ratchet is tinkering away in his garage, working on a spacecraft for a customer. In a comedic mishap, he accidentally activates the ship’s magnetic pull, resulting in a whirlwind of metal items flying toward the vessel. Despite the chaos, Ratchet manages to launch the ship, inadvertently ejecting the customer from his seat mid-flight.

Ratchet idolizes the heroic Galactic Rangers, including Cora, Brax, Elaris, and their charismatic leader, Captain Quark, who are in search of new recruits after multiple planets face destruction. Although Ratchet dreams of joining their ranks, his mentor, Grimroth Razz, advises him to think smaller to avoid disappointment.

In a twist of fate, Drek breaks out the notorious mad scientist, Dr. Nefarious, from prison to help construct an army of robots aimed at eliminating the Galactic Rangers. Nefarious harbors a personal vendetta against Quark, the very ranger responsible for his imprisonment. Among the new robotic creations is a defect labeled as insufficient, which attempts to escape Drek’s wrath by fleeing in an escape pod.

Eager to join the Galactic Rangers, Ratchet heads to their city, where he witnesses Quark’s flashy entrance, calling potential recruits forward. However, when Ratchet is brought in for an interview, Quark coldly tells him he lacks the qualifications to join their ranks. Disheartened, Ratchet heads home, feeling validated in Grim’s caution against dreaming too big.

Fate intervenes when Ratchet discovers the escape pod containing the small robot and rescues him just before it self-destructs. He decides to name his new companion Clank. Soon after, Drek unleashes his robotic army upon the city, igniting a battle between the Rangers and Drek’s forces. As the Rangers engage in combat, Ratchet and Clank soar above in Ratchet’s ship. Demonstrating ingenuity, Ratchet utilizes the ship’s magnetic pull to redirect the robots into the Rangers’ ship, causing an explosive conclusion to the confrontation and garnering admiration from the onlookers.

Despite Ratchet’s newfound recognition, Quark’s jealousy simmers beneath the surface, as he grapples with the loss of his own spotlight. When Ratchet and Clank are officially welcomed into the Rangers, they begin their training. Clank finds himself in an office that doubles as a closet while Ratchet wrestles with an array of weaponry, failing hilariously at every turn.

The Rangers soon discover Dr. Drek’s plan, which involves the sinister Deplanetizer designed to obliterate abandoned planets for his personal gain. Quark, seduced by the allure of fame, agrees to betray the Rangers, complicating their mission. As they move forward, their weapons system is compromised due to Quark’s treachery, adding further peril to a tense situation.

Meanwhile, Victor hunts down Clank for a final showdown, but Clank cleverly responds by unleashing a rain cloud from his weapon that causes Victor to rust. As Ratchet learns of Quark’s betrayal, they arrive too late to prevent the destructive power unleashed upon the inhabited planet.

Returning home in despair, Ratchet receives a wise reminder from Grim: to be a true hero, one needs to focus on doing what is right, regardless of grandeur. Renewed with purpose, Ratchet gears up for the final confrontation against Drek and his looming threat.

In a twist of events, Dr. Nefarious ousts Drek from power by employing a gun that magically transforms him into a sheep, effectively taking charge of the operation himself. When including the Rangers in a desperate struggle against the Deplanetizer, a last-minute plot from Elaris directs the blast away from innocent planets.

As Quark returns to righteousness, a climactic battle ensues between him and Nefarious. With the help of Ratchet, Nefarious is rendered defeated, and the Deplanetizer meets its end through a fiery crash.

As the victorious Rangers return as heroes, Quark embarks on an apology tour through the galaxy, while Ratchet and Clank solidify their bond of friendship as official Galactic Rangers. In a final scene before the credits, repair bots discover Nefarious’s remnants at the crash site, teasing the imminent return of evil.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 14:16

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Ratchet & Clank?

Still wondering what the ending of Ratchet & Clank (2016) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

At the end of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, after a final battle in Megalopolis where Ratchet, Clank, Rivet, and Kit work together to stop Emperor Nefarious from destroying the dimensions, the chaos caused by the destroyed Dimensionator is mostly resolved. Once the conflict is over, Rivet and Kit decide it’s time to return to their home dimension, but not before sharing a moment of camaraderie with Ratchet and Clank. The game’s ending shows them making preparations to leave, with hints that their adventure isn’t necessarily over—especially since the multiverse has been saved and the Dimensionator is back under Ratchet’s control. The closing scene, which plays during the credits, depicts the characters getting ready for their journeys, including Rivet getting a replacement arm made to match her previous one, symbolizing the bond they’ve formed.

This ending leaves the door open for future stories, implying that Rivet and Kit could return in upcoming titles or spin-offs. Their inclusion hints at more multidimensional adventures, and given the strong performances of the voice actors, fans can look forward to seeing more of these characters. While Rift Apart is mainly an action-packed, visually stunning game that highlights the PlayStation 5’s capabilities, its cheerful, hopeful conclusion assures players that these new friends are here to stay. The story ends on a positive note, emphasizing friendship, heroism, and the exciting possibility of more adventures across different worlds.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59

Unlock the Full Story of Ratchet & Clank

Don't stop at just watching — explore Ratchet & Clank in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ratchet & Clank is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Ratchet & Clank Timeline

Track the full timeline of Ratchet & Clank with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Ratchet & Clank Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ratchet & Clank

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Ratchet & Clank. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Ratchet & Clank? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Ratchet & Clank Ending Explained

More About Ratchet & Clank

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