Steven Spielberg has done the unimaginable. He has directed a film based on the 2011 science-fiction book, “Ready Player One.” A book so dense with pop-culture references and “un-film-able” scenes that many thought it could never be properly made into a movie. But, Spielberg did it and the results are astounding.
For fans of the book, go into the film realizing this is NOT the book. This is a film with the same characters, a lot of the same high-points, the same basic outline, and a LOT of new stuff. SO MUCH new stuff. It’s a new version of the story.
For everyone else, “Ready Player One” may seem a little daunting, a little confusing and a little strange. The trailers have made sense to those familiar with the story, but have also left many scratching their heads. I’ve had a few dozen friends tell me they have, “no idea what this movie is about.” Don’t worry. Trust me… it’s a knockout.
This review will stay very “spoiler free.” Because, for all audiences, what you don’t is coming in “Ready Player One” will floor you. It’s a tidal wave of surprises. And, that’s part of the charm, especially for fans of Ernest Cline’s novel.
The movie takes place in a somewhat sad, dystopian Columbus, Ohio. The year is 2045. The only joy, for many, is the escape into a virtual reality universe called The Oasis. By donning personal viewing goggles, and some extra techno-gear (depending on your financial situation), people can become someone or something else. Their “avatars” in the virtual world are anything they want to be, including tons of surprising pop culture icons and characters.
In the film, mad-genius creator of The Oasis, James Halliday (Mark Rylance), has died. His final message to everyone explains he’s leaving control of his computer-generated world, and his half-a-trillion dollar fortune, to whoever can solve a mysterious 3-part game. Thus begins the worldwide quest to find a hidden “easter egg” inside Halliday’s alternate reality.
Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan), a young Columbus resident who has nothing to lose, decides to try anything he can to solve his hero Halliday’s puzzle. He has the entire world as competition including an army of bad-guy corporate hunters called the “Sixers.” The evil corporation, IOI, is led by a ruthless CEO, Sorento (Ben Mendelsohn), who will stop at nothing to take control of The Oasis and the future.
The film moves continuously between the real world and The Oasis world as occurrences in both places affect each universe. The hops into VR are some of the most eye-melting special effects ever seen on screen. The characters’ avatars become more and more realistic and sympathetic to the point of forgetting what is real and what isn’t. It’s crazy. And, it’s crazy beautiful.
But this dazzling computer-generated imagery isn’t the only greatness on display. The actors all make compelling real-world characters and virtual ones. Olivia Cooke (Samantha) is especially wonderful as Wade’s friend and co-Gunter (easter egg hunter). The fabulous Lena Waithe and Simon Pegg also appear in the movie, and that’s all I’m going to say (they rock).
Spielberg returns to the directing form he’s famous for. The action scenes will leave you absolutely breathless. The emotional tones will choke you up. And, everything he does works together to create movie magic that often makes more sense in the middle of Summer. This is why you love to go to the movies.
Oh, and the real draw here: those pop-culture references! The frames are packed to the edges with secrets, characters and shout-outs making repeated viewings an absolute must. There’s so much to spot and point out, it’s at times a little distracting. But, no complaints from this fan-boy. I will obsess about this movie for years, just like I obsessed about the book. I’m also not going to mention any specifics here, they are for you to discover. “Ready Player One” is your reward for obsessing over video games, movies, and music from the last 50 years.
There’s so much movie in “Ready Player One,” when it ends you will be amazed at the ground it has covered. It’s a giant popcorn flick that is the purest example of why movie theaters need to exist. This is an experience that will never work correctly on a small screen. It’s the near-perfect remix of spectacle, humor, heart, and nostalgia.
Find your nearest ginormous theater and get your bathroom breaks in early. This is 2 and twenty minutes of pure Spielberg-in joy.
