Movie Title: Ready Player One
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 2 hr. and 20 min.
Rated: PG-13
Who did I watch with?: Stephie and Keegan
Where did I watch it?: Regal Stadium 12 – Swansea, MA
Review:
Ready Player One is based off a book of the same name by Ernest Cline. The book is pretty good, but becomes a predictable tome by the last ten chapters or so. With that said there are quite a few really nifty elements from the book that are left out. The story is changed significantly to make it less focused on things that are not mainstream nerd material. Dungeons & Dragons references and Ultraman are taken out in favor of more familiar material. The malevolent evil nature of the IOI corporation is toned down. The other main characters are less fleshed out and The Great and Powerful Og is all but dropped from the movie. The really interesting story of Wade Watts is made considerably less so.
With all that said Ready Player One is still an entertaining movie if you go in with a clean slate or the right expectations. Wade Watts alter ego is Parzival. He is a gunter on a quest to discover James Halladay’s Golden Egg inside the Oasis. The Oasis is a virtual world in which most people spend all their free time. The outside world is a poverty stricken hellhole. Everyone uses the Oasis for escapism. The Egg will give whoever earns it complete control of the Oasis and Halladay’s considerable fortune. Naturally with so much up for grabs corporations can’t keep their grubby hands out. IOI led by CEO Nolan Sorento are also looking for the egg with the intent of milking every last dime out of the Oasis. They are willing to do anything to get what they want.
The movie is the ultimate fan service. References are worked into so many nooks and crannies that it would be impossible to identify every reference (unless you are hardcore into this movie.) Some of it is really amazing. The Shining is gloriously recreated as a level inside the Oasis and one of the challenges from the book remains unchanged. Some of it is considerably less successful. King Kong is not nearly as cool as he should be, especially after seeing Kong: Skull Island last month.
Verdict:
Don’t go in expecting a faithful adaptation of the book. However, it is an entertaining movie if you just go along for the ride. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Best F(r)iends (2017)
