Visually stunning. Fun Story. Lacks emotion

Rating: 7/10 (2 April 2018)

First off, I read the book, so I was highly anticipating this to be an amazing movie. And with high expectations it's always easier to become a bit more critical. But rather than just complain that the book was better, I have a few suggestions of what could have bumped my rating up from a 7 to an 8 or 9.
Suggestion #1: Turn the music volume up!
The music in this movie was too quiet. They included some great 80s Hits, but I felt like they were drowned out by the random sounds that accompanied the CGI throughout the movie. I wish they would have blasted that music louder so you can actually get a little more pumped up during that final battle.
Suggestion #2: Sloooow it down just a bit
I felt like parts of the movie were rushed too much. Aside from the music, I think movie watchers want to soak in all the various characters from pop culture and video games that are referenced and used as avatars in the Oasis. But they pan over them so quickly that you can miss them if you so much as blink. And I recognize they were trying to fit a whole (alternate) story in a 2 hour time frame, but scenes that could've built up a bit more emotion felt rushed and forced.
Suggestion #3: Better explanation of the Oasis octants
One thing I will specifically say the book does a much better job at is explaining the universe of the Oasis. I recognize a movie always has less explanations than any book. But I wish they would've explained the whole octants system a little more in depth. Like how some places your avatar would be in danger of "zero-ing out" while others you were safe from any kind of attack. Again, I know that takes some of the precious 2-hour time, but making a universe more understandable in a movie also makes it more believable and appreciated.
Okay, now putting my 3 critiques aside, there were plenty of things I still loved about this movie. The different take with I-R0k was one of my favorite changes they made in the movie. He was a very much needed comic relief. The CGI was incredible and I'm so glad they didn't jump back and forth too much between the VR world and the real world (like they did in Assassin's Creed with the animus.. don't even get me started on that movie...). Even though they changed the story almost completely I thought it was mostly necessary since time is precious. I liked the new role Og took as the curator. And I'm glad they kept the message of the movie the same, encouraging people to enjoy technologies such as VR in a good fun way, but to above all else value real life and the relationships with those around us. All in all, I enjoyed the movie and will see it again.