Steven Spielberg Never Fails To Surprise...

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2018)

Ready Player One is based off the book the book, Ready Player One (2011), which I have never read (So pretty much that means I liked the movie, and I did). I was so glad that Steven Spielberg directed Ready Player One, because he has a reputation of turning books into movies (Jurassic Park). I instantly knew it was going to have the same style that Steven Spielberg is known for, just from the opening scene. For me, the best part of the movie was the references and the OASIS itself. You could spend hours trying to find all the references and Easter Eggs in Ready Player One. In my opinion, the OASIS was felt like a real video game world, like a sandbox/open world. Ready Player One gets a lot of things right, but the main issues I have is the villain and the comedy. The villain is pretty much every stereotype put all into one character and the jokes weren't that funny, but everything else was good.
Story: 10/10
I was surprised that I don't have any issues with the story. I was expecting some pacing issues, due to how long the movie is. The idea that there are three keys and whoever collects all the keys first, wins the contest and gets to control the OASIS. Everyone is looking for the three keys, even major companies, such as IOI. At first I thought it was silly that companies would go so far as kidnapping and murdering people just to win a contest in a video game, but then I released that it's a company, and companies will do anything for more money. The theme that the players have to fight back the companies from ruining good games is actually very realistic, and it's happening even now. The plot was entertaining, and I never lost focus on the story, I was always interested on how the players would find the next key. There was a few subplots that felt boring, but it never affected the overall story. I also liked how if IOI won the contest, not only the players would be affected, but the future of humanity, because of how much the OASIS impacts peoples' lives. Overall, the story was entertaining and it kept me interested the whole way through.
Characters: 8/10
Although Wade Watts is a relatable and overall a good protagonist, there's still some issues, like the antagonist (Sorrento) and supporting cast. The supporting cast had little to offer in the beginning, only in the climax they played a role. The supporting cast also had way too little screen time, even for supporting characters. The antagonist is very bland, and he fits all the stereotypes. The antagonists' motives are believable, but that's the only good part about that character. The love story between Wade (Parzival) and Samantha (Art3mis) felt a bit rushed, like when Wade said he loved her so early in the movie, it was cringeworthy, but it did show how bad he was with woman. Some comedic characters, like I-R0k (T.J. Miller) was unfunny, he maybe got two laughs from ten jokes. The main characters were good though, they were interesting and relatable. Overall, the main characters were good, but the antagonist and the supporting cast were bland.
Action: 10/10
Some people complained that there was too much CGI, but I think it was necessary, because it is a video game, and most of the time the movie is in the OASIS. There was so much action especially at the beginning and at the climax. The climax had to be the most epic part about the movie, there was so action and pop culture references. The climax reminded me of the final battle in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, with so much mayhem going on. One of my favorite scenes is when the players go into The Shining, and they pretty much remake the most iconic scenes in horror. One thing I want to point out is how they used Chucky as a weapon in the climax, I think it was creative. The comedy was on the weaker side, with only a few jokes landing. Overall, the action was entertaining and creative, but the comedy felt awkward.
Overall, Ready Player One was a superb movie, with only the characters and the comedy be on the weaker side. I've always appreciated Steven Spielberg's work, and now I appreciate it even more, because of how much hard work and dedication it took to make this movie. I know Ready Player One is going to get hated on because it wasn't exactly like the book, but even if I did read the book, it still wouldn't change my mind. I think I've spent my money perfectly on watching this movie, and I think everyone should get a chance to watch Ready Player One, because of how much this movie relates to every different type of audience.