Ready Player One appeals to almost everyone, bringing a sense of nostalgia from our childhoods that blend several different generations. It's packed with enough cool action sequences to make you want to watch it again as soon as it's over!
“Director Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction action adventure reveals a chaotic, collapsing world in the year 2045. Salvation lies in the OASIS, a fantastical virtual-reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, his immense fortune is left to the first person who can find a digital Easter egg hidden in the OASIS. Joining the hunt is unlikely young hero Wade Watts, who is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending quest filled with mystery, discovery and danger.”
Ready Player One opens as we meet Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan), a guy who got dealt an unfortunate hand in life as his parents have both died and he lives in near poverty in The Stacks, a series of small converted homes stacked on top of each other as high as the eye can see. His escape from reality, as well as everyone else in the world is the OASIS, a virtual reality world in which users can become any avatar they desire, doing almost anything they want. We learn that the creator, James Halliday, has died and has left three keys hidden inside the game and promising whoever finds them all will earn his fortune and control of the OASIS. The first challenge has already been discovered, an impossible race that has yet to be won, with Wade and his friends, Aech (Lena Waithe), Daito (Win Morisaki) and Sho (Phillip Zhao), all competing as often as they can to try to reach the finish line. Also playing to win is an army of avatars sponsored by IOI, a corporation run by Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn) who wants to gain control of the OASIS to exploit it and its users for profit. When Wade meets Art3mis (Olivia Cooke), he is inspired to try a new approach to the race and ultimate wins the first key, setting in motion a race to the finish to see who can decipher the next clue and win the next keys and ultimately the control of OASIS.
Finally, Ready Player One is out to own, meaning I can pause and rewind to my heart’s content to see everything I continue to miss in my attempts to identify every little Easter egg and every video game character and movie reference I can. I’ve said it before, but what sells to our current generation is nostalgia, and that’s exactly what Ready Player One is. Unfortunately I was not able to read the book before seeing the film, though I do know some of the changes that were made from the adaptation. While film adaptions of books are always difficult to do and will no doubt upset some, from a film viewpoint Ready Player One is able to tell a story with a TON of information in a very short amount of time and still deliver on some great sequences that blow my mind every time I see them.
It’s a story about an unlikely hero who is basically a nobody in the real world, and even so in the virtual world until he gets on everyone’s radar after winning the first contest. Wade is a very moral and good person despite the hardships he has to endure, and even tempted with millions of dollars to work for IOI he still turns it down in favor for the freedom that he and everyone else like him is able to enjoy in the OASIS. What’s so endearing about this story is the heart of it, and these are films that Steven Spielberg knows very well and is able to capture from the book and present on screen.
The story doesn’t just reignite memories of childhood. As much as it foretells the evolution of technology and gaming, it also paints a pretty bleak picture of a possible future if the majority of the world wants to check out of reality and spend all their time inside the virtual world. As much as I’d love to be able to visit the OASIS, I wouldn’t want to live in that future where everyday life is too depressing to stand. My only issue with the story is it seems that the reason for this lies heavily with IOI, the evil company bent on taking over the OASIS in hopes to ruin the user experience for monetary gain. They also of course have these loyalty centers in which they basically imprison people and force them to become slaves for IOI, promising the ability to work off their debt but never delivering on that promise. It’s not the main focus of the story, but it is a large part what drives these people to this alternate reality. That being said, I can’t help but question what else could have happened to create this world? Where is the government, or even the police? How is IOI basically able to enslave people without consequences, while sending a military-like force around the city trying to take out these teenagers? The antagonist, IOI, is too neat and tidy of a villain, and when it’s defeated it feels like the entire world changes for the better.
As far as the changes go in terms of the challenges they must face to win the copper, jade and crystal keys, I’m not one to say which is better, the film or the book. Knowing the challenges they face in the book, it does make a bit more sense cinematically for those to change which I think does a good job at providing some exciting sequences and injecting the nostalgia the book is known for. I definitely would have loved to see a virtual D&D module come to life, but I’ll gladly trade that for the second challenge which I won’t spoil for any that haven’t seen the film and have managed to read this far. It’s one of my favorite moments in the film, giving homage to truly great film that recreates it perfectly down to every last detail. Spielberg took out a majority of the references to himself save for a few because in his own words he didn’t want to celebrate himself, but this leaves room for all kinds of characters from both video games and movies, one of my favorites being The Iron Giant. There are so many obscure references I genuinely feel like I’m the only one getting them, but I know there is an entire generation just like me who grew up obsessing over these things and will be pleasantly surprised as they re-watch this film and discover something new every time.
Are there going to be die-hard fans out there who will resist any change made from the book to the film? Undoubtedly; and even with Ernest Cline consulting on the film and script, that won’t matter. Those people are unfortunately letting their anger get in the way of enjoying one of the most jam-packed filled with nostalgia stories you’ve seen on screen. Ready Player One is one hell of a ride and was so much fun to watch. Just like when I saw it in theatres, as soon as the credits rolled I wanted to watch it again.
Video
Ready Player One is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.4:1. The film looks absolutely gorgeous, with an interesting contrast between the OASIS and the real world; the OASIS having bright and vibrant colors and the latter a darker, bleaker tone to it. Just by looking at the cover of the film you can definitely see the difference in the two worlds. I would have loved to check this out in 4k if I had the chance, as it contains Dolby Vision, and I imagine that and the HDR looks fantastic, so if you have the option, this is one of those films that I bet benefits greatly from the newer format.
Audio
The audio is presented in Dolby Atmos and is one of the highlights of the disc. This track is so impressive, delivering a great balance between the surrounds and center channel, with great sequences that will make you think you’re actually in the middle of it all. The Dolby Atmos produces some great overhead effects, the highlights including the first challenge and ending battle sequence that is simply astonishing.
Special Features
This set is packed with extras, featuring over 90 minutes of bonus content. These featurettes are very in depth, with interviews from all the cast and crew, with heavy involvement from Steven Spielberg. He’s fascinating to listen to as he describes the entire process and how this was one of the most challenging things he’s ever worked on, basically learning new techniques in filming and directing in this virtual world. I highly recommend checking these out, as you can even catch some Easter eggs you may have missed in the film.
On this set you’re going to see:
- The ‘80s: You’re the Inspiration – Explore the vibrant and creative decade that gave birth to Ernie Cline’s grand imagination and timeless novel.
- Game Changer: Cracking the Code – Journey alongside Steven Spielberg, his cast and creative team, as they push the boundaries of imagination and moviemaking to bring Ready Player One to the screen.
- Effects for a Brave New World – The most story-centric visual effects ever created for a movie seamlessly blend the practical with the virtual to visualize the two distinct worlds of Ready Player One.
- Level Up: Sound for the Future – Uncover the hidden secrets that can only be heard in Ready Player One.
- High Score: Endgame – The majesty of The Oasis is brought to life and an incredible journey comes to a close.
- Ernie & Tye’s Excellent Adventure – Have fun with Tye Sheridan and Ernie Cline as they reunite in their hometown of Austin, TX to reminisce on the excellent adventure they’ve had making Ready Player One.
Ready Player One will satisfy any nostalgia driven moviegoer anxious to see the book translated to film. A dreamlike fantasy world that only Steven Spielberg could bring to life in his unique way, the film will leave viewers wanting more as soon as the credits roll.
