Often exhilerating, but caves into formula

Rating: 6/10 (28 March 2018)

I haven't read the book, so am reviewing this purely as a film. Its technically incredibly accomplished - amazing CGI, a packed, detailed screen most of the time, and the 3d is brilliant (particularly the VR scenes, the real world seemed flatter/duller which may have been intentional for the same effect as Tron Legacy). The sheer dizzying vibrancy of the VR world and all its references is often joyous and refreshing.
But as time goes on (and theres a lot of it) I found myself craving some substance, some humanity, some depth, character and originality which doesn't materialise. All the references to Back To The Future make me kind of wish I was watching that instead - how much more loveable the characters are in that. RP1 descends into the same formula as every other mass-market movie - evil baddie, endless destruction, slick invulnerable CGI battles, good guys in great peril, etc etc that drags on a little too long. By the end I was glad it was over, and it had lost my earlier affection. Afterwards it started dissolving fast, without much staying behind. Great entertainment, but I feel like it could have been so much more. Maybe I've been spoiled by Black Mirror.
If BTTF was made now, I'm sure Biff would be a megalomaniac evil time-lord trying to destroy the spacetime contiuum, and there would be an extra hour tagged on where Biff teams up with the Libyans to destroy Hill Valley with endless CGI bazooka missiles.
One thing I'll say in RP1s favour is that there is an amazing setpiece (the second key) that had me smiling so hard it was worth the price alone.