With as many franchises that Steven Spielberg manages to throw at the screen all at one time, they all fit so well (even when they don’t) and manage to deliver a great experience for moviegoers and gamers of all ages.
The film is set in the year 2045, when much of humanity, escaping the desolation of the real-world, uses the virtual reality software OASIS to engage in work and play. Wade Watts discovers clues to a hidden game within the program that promises the winner full ownership of the OASIS, and joins several allies to try to complete the game before indentured players working for a large company, run by Nolan Sorrento, can do so. –Wikipedia
This review is going to be kept short, because truth be told, the plot is nothing you haven’t seen or experienced before in a film. And probably more than twice. You are not going to be blown away by one teenager’s desire to achieve an impossible goal while being pursued by some evil corporation that is controlled by a single-minded man with self-serving intentions. What you will feel, however, is a monsoon of nostalgia, and endless awe of brilliant cinematic effects and superb directing.
Steven Spielberg is at the top of his game, and he would have to be if he is to make anyone care about the recycled, derivative characters leading and driving the plot. Wade Watts is full of hope and bravery, and his friends support every move he makes while risking their lives in-game and in reality. His love interest, Art3mis is strong, independent, focuses, and a sucker for Wade’s dorky charms.
I won’t spoil the film for you, but I can say that nothing surprised me. Not that I necessary called everything, and I couldn’t have due to all of the awesome nostalgic characters on the screen clashing against modern-day heroes and villains all from various genres and entertainment mediums.
The likes of Spawn are joined by Overwatch’s Tracer, along with the Michael Bay version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mobile Suit Gundam. Toss those in a battle with Friday the 13th’s Jason and A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger, all clashing against the Spartan Master Chief from Halo: Combat Evolved, and you can imagine that things will get a little insane. And those characters aren’t even a fraction of how many occupy the screen in countless battles and challenges the core characters face while trying to get the Easter Egg.
Look, I have heard that the film is nothing like the book from a few sources, and if you are expecting an Oscar Winner here, it probably isn’t one. But the film is fun, really fun. And the characters are likable and the directing is spot on and the experience is something that, if you have ever picked up and enjoyed a video game, you are likely going to enjoy enough to know your money and your time were worth the price of a ticket.
Ready Player One stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance. The film is out now in theaters near you.
