Review of Ready Player One (2018) by Team W — 06 Apr 2018

So today I hotly watched Member Berries: The Movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, the lifelong friend of that guy who made Star Wars.

Let me make it clear that no nostalgic reference will be impacting the final score of this movie, even if a TARDIS popped up. Every single, "Hey, I understand that reference" moment is irrelevant. You're not getting me that easily, Hollywood. For some naysayers, they would assume that this means I will trash this movie, and they would underestimate me. Spielberg has been entertaining me since I was a child, and he shows no sign of failing now. But I've said it since the Massacre of '15 and I'll say it again; just because you acknowledge something I like, I am not obligated to like *you*.

The movie was very well directed, unsurprising how we have a multiple Oscar winner at the realm, and a stellar cast blessed this art with 140 minutes of worthwhile entertainment. There was no actor that I thought gave a bad performance. There were a few line stutters but they're mostly from the younger characters, can't really fault them for that.

The film has identified itself as an homage to those that play and enjoy video games, myself included; exactly like its source material, Ernest Cline's novel. I was surprised to discover Cline also contributed to the screenplay. While I have not read the game book, I'm told the adaptation was faithful to its written work, for which I'll trust accordingly.

Overall plot was great, there was excitement around every corner. Aside from the first fifteen minutes where they overflow you with too much information, the story is structured evenly and fairly. We know the characters at a perfect time, the heroes, the villains and the deuteragonists. I would have written the segment of the second key a little differently. Not to give spoilers away or anything, but I felt that it turned into something else than Ready Player One, the very reason why I was inside that cinema. Still though, it was a welcome surprise for about one second.

Let's get over to the main feature; the visual effects. I shall make it known now. This movie will not be nominated for the Oscars in Visual Effects. It is going to *win* the Oscar for Visual Effects. I was sold from the nightclub scene. It's a stunning journey of eye-candy, capturing that classic Spielberg magic. The characters are designed in a human way that is not too unsettling, not breaching the uncanny valley. It's an achievement in visuals that should be rightfully rewarded. Then again, I was wrong about Ghost in the Shell's outcome. Hope there's no déjà vu.

But at heart, it reminds of the viewer of the potential dangers in nostalgia. Anyone who knows me would understand my thoughts on the dangerously recurring subject, but it acknowledges my concerns, and I hope it relays that message to the viewer. Not to give anything away, but there truly is only one thing that's real. Something that gives you the chance to make something new. Why not focus on that instead?

8/10. Maybe Costume, Sound and Make-Up's on the table...