"Ready Player One" Movie Review #1
Aficionados of 80's and 90's pop culture, assemble. Ready Player One is packed with references from the era that gave rise to video gaming, and while it falls short as a film, it's a sensational goldmine for nostalgia.
Ready Player One poses a challenge to a post-apocalyptic society almost completely immersed in the virtual reality world. Wade, a poor and displaced young man, manages to crack the first of a series of riddles and races with friends to complete the game's challenges in hopes of inheriting control of the virtual universe.
There are many things that stand out to me with this presentation. The first is the film score, which draws its style and inspiration from sweeping, epic scores of 80’s and 90’s cinema. Also, the visual effects stand out as wildly immersive. So much so sometimes, it’s dizzying.
What doesn’t stand out to me, though, was proper character development and a well-executed message. Substantially lackluster villains rob Ready Player One from challenging itself to be more poignant in the delivery of its themes.
Ready Player One is not profound, but it is fun. And while it may not leave audiences cheering for the hero, at least it’s immersive enough to distract them from reality.
Acting and Casting - 0 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 1