This is not the book.... at all!

Rating: 7/10 (29 March 2018)

The movie is an adaptation from the book of the same name. The writer himself Ernest Cline is created as one of screenplay writers which suprised me. This movie... has nothing to do with the book.
I expected a few changes, that's normal considering the amount of references to pop culture in the book and how licensing works for movie adaptations. Thing is even the plot, characters and end message were changed.
This went from a coming of age story, a boy learning that escaping to "his oasis" is not the solution. You have to fight for what you want. sacrifice everything for those you care about. There is also a message in there regarding the dangers of corporate takeover of the net, seven full years before the net neutrality issue came up.
What does this one do? The challenges are changed completely. The characters that he meets along the way and is united with them against a common enemy are his buddies from the beginning. Even the lesson changes to simply... the power of friendship.
That's it. Oh and gaming is for the young that love to play not corporate thugs, who fund their development and market them in the first place.
To me this is such a childish plot it's barely a six star movie however because of all the nostalgia they throw at you and the epicness of the final battle I'm adding one extra star. I'll admit, it was nice seeing some of my favorite characters from the 80's and 90's on the screen battling it out. The kid in me liked it but the adult that I am was disappointed with the overall emptiness.