They forgot how the movie got its name

Rating: 7/10 (7 April 2018)

OK, OK, OK. I won't bore you with another description of how this movie isn't like the book. Well, except I kind of will, in a different way.
Before I begin, though, as a stand-alone movie, it's pretty good. Really, I see a lot of haters on this site, because it does pretty much get way off track with the book, but as a movie judged by itself, it's good. If you haven't read the book, then you'll probably enjoy the movie.
And, I have to say, the integration of The Shining -- a classic -- as a key quest in the movie was enjoyable. Even if it wasn't in the book.
But I have two complaints about the movie that I didn't see in other reviews.
First: In the book, there is a subtle reference to Parzival being named for Percival. Percival was one of King Arthur's knights who, in some versions of the story, was the one who found the Holy Grail. Subtle foreshadowing as to the outcome of the movie. Clever. In the movie, Art3mis just spells it out for you early on just to make sure you got that. No nuance. No fun later when you make the connection on your own.
Second, if you see the movie without the context of the book, you'd have no idea at all why it is named Ready Player One. As a valentine to '80s pop culture, the book makes you wait until very near the end but does give you the revelation. There is a dramatic moment in the book when Parzival learns what his final challenge will be when he suddenly faces the screen all of us who came of age in the '80s (i.e., popped quarters in stand-up arcade games) remember so well: Ready Player One. That moment was totally squandered in the movie. It could have been used to powerful effect. Instead, it didn't even make it in.