Ironically Contradictory Blockbuster

Rating: 5/10 (12 May 2020)

A film that tries to make a statement about the problems associated with becoming too enamored with a product and the cons of escapism, only to indulge in a reference-stuffed virtual reality for 2 hours. The set pieces and action scenes in of themselves may be entertaining and visually spectacular, but they go directly against the message that Ready Player One claims to promote. There is a repeated (and extremely on-the-nose) mantra that "We have to start living in the real world!", yet all the characters solve their problems, in both the real and virtual worlds, through video games and pop culture references. Add underwritten stereotype characters and loads of plot holes and contrivances, and you get an entertaining spectacle that's fun for the whole family (as long as you and the family turn your brains off for 2 hours)!