Ready Player One hosts an exciting online lobby filled with childhood nostalgia.

Rating: 8/10 (30 March 2018)

It's extremely easy to get consumed by the tidal wave of pop culture. The moment the Iron Giant appeared I'm sure many thought "ehh meh gewdd take my money, best film ever, Overwatch rulez!" but, let's take a step back to critique the film and not the references. The world is entranced by an online virtual world known as the Oasis, where the recently deceased game designer has hidden three keys that lead to his fortune. A group of rebels try to find the keys before a tyrannical corporation take the money for themselves. It's good to see Spielberg back at what he does best, crafting big family blockbusters. His technique and style is riddled throughout the long runtime which in itself feels nostalgic to the likes of 'E.T.' and 'Jurassic Park'. On a side note, I shall not be making comparisons to the book as I've not read it (ain't nobody got time for that). Having said that, this film was SO much fun. I've never smiled so much during a cinema experience as I consistently muttered "oh that's the bike from 'Akira'. A Gundam? No way! Ohhh he just performed a Hadouken!". Part of the appeal is the barrage of pop culture that immediately sucks you into the virtual world that has been intricately designed. The narrative, which dips occasionally, balances the virtual universe with reality to create a simple yet compelling story. Like a video game, it's incredibly linear with a few plot conveniences but that in itself feels reminiscent of retro adventure games so it actually works. Character development was satisfactory and tackles the inherent issue of romanticising with online avatars who could look completely different in the real world. Supporting cast were great although I felt Sheridan was slightly underwhelming as he constantly gave dramatic speeches about the Oasis. The visual effects were absolutely stunning, even during chaotic action sequences everything was crystal clear and beautifully directed. I could watch this film forever and not want a "Game Over". The definition of entertainment.