READY PLAYER ONE (2018)

Directed By: Steven Spielberg 
Written By: Zak Penn & Ernest Cline 
Based On The Novel By: Ernest Cline 
Cinematography By: Janusz Kaminski 
Editor: Sarah Broshar & Michael Kahn 

Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Lena Waithe, Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg, Ben Mendelsohn, T.J. Miller, Philip Zhao, Claire Higgins, Susan Lynch, Pedrita Weeks, Ralph Ineson, Win Morasaki, Latetia Wright 


In the year 2045, the real world is a harsh place. The only time Wade Watts truly feels alive is when he escapes to the OASIS, an immersive virtual universe where most of humanity spends their days. In the OASIS, you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. The OASIS was created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday, who left his immense fortune and total control of the Oasis to the winner of a three-part contest he designed to find a worthy heir. When Wade conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-aka the High Five-are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS.


The film never quite completely carries you away and enchants as the book at least did for me and it’s fans.

The film seems more made for kids. More so then even the fans of the pop culture featured on screen. Though it lives up to the Amblin entertainment name. As a film that might be like a starter drug for some kids to explore what they might not know or recognize on the screen. It is also a big enough canvas to introduce kids to using their imagination more. While also providing entertainment that seems straight made for them and not having to be dumbed down. Where as it also feels more like a fan’s dream of a movie.

If anything the film keeps trying to feel epic yet for all it’s advantages and advances. Still manages to feel a bit small scale for the size of the story it’s telling.

This movie is like a drug. As there are times when you really feel like you can get lost in it and it take you away to ecstasy, but you never get a chance to get that complete feeling because something comes along to interrupt it and bring you back down. Sometimes lower then you were before.

The third act Also has an WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY type of ending only more modern. Which is basically the story structure. As well as movie having more the dna of the book. While the ending drove home the feelings of fans. As it tries to articulate what it feels like to be a fan of something and how at times it can become easy to get lost in that obsession, it’s ok to be a fan but you also must remember. you have to realize there is a world out there to discover as well as interact with that can give you the same highs or even more with it’sown set of challenges, successes and comeback after tragedy or failure. So create your own adventures or at least try. That is where the film and book are rewarding.

The film seeks to honor the fans but also the creators and creatives whose talent and imagination powered our own dreams and fantasies. They created something but had no control or foresight to know that it would have a life of it's own once birthed and put out there. That others would become fans of it love and obsess. As they took it to heart and it became something much bigger and important to them. That they might feel a certain kind of ownership. Just as a child, invention or something you create and cultivate as well as nurture. Will have a life of it’s own.

There is something special in the fact that a director who helped create or make this genre popular who filled many formative years with fantasy and imagination is handling this film so deeply rooted in nostalgia. Though he is in fact playing to his wheelhouse for an audience that has grown up on his films and can easily recognize his fingerprints in some of the nostalgia he is showcasing. Which might be why when the story more comes into play it constantly feels familiar. That it feels like it has come full circle. Even for a film that seem to play more like a live action animated hybrid.

The performances by the adult actors feel more goofy or stylized to more play out like a stereotypical character. So they seem kind of bound instead of coming off as believable. No matter what purpose they might serve eventually.

The film does contain memorable sequences two in particular that come to mind are THE SHINING sequence and the first race. While watching some of these sequences you wonder would they be stronger from a different director as Spielberg more recreates and gives his vision of certain characters. Though watching the film you constantly feel like this could be a slight modern homage to himself or at least his influence. Not necessarily influences. Almost a victory lap in itself.

The film does provide many moments to make you smile as well as presenting great filmmaking with a kind of verve we haven’t seen from Steven Spielberg in a while. Especially more rooted in fantasy.

It’s a fun movie but in the end doesn’t feel particularly sting or powerful.


Grade: B-