A Video Game Adaptation Directed By Spielberg ..... This Is My Dream Now!

Rating: 9/10 (8 July 2018)

If there is any director who can make a successful and really the first great video game adaptation, he will be, of course, Steven Spielberg. The most thing I was worried about in Ready Player One is if it will be a mere thrill ride filled with many pop-culture references rather than it will be a movie with a good story. It turned out that I was right, but only about the first part. This movie is an epic adventure that will mesmerize all nerds and geeks, but it will also satisfy the real cinephiles who seek a movie with a smart and original story. In fact, this movie's story is really powerful and thought-provoking. I found myself engaged with the story and the characters, and also busy as much as the characters as if I was putting the pieces of the puzzle with them.
The performances are good, but the movie didn't rely and focus on the dramatic aspect as much as on the adventure aspect. For me this isn't a problem at all, because the movie should be experience it as an epic adventure, like Avengers: Infinity War, not as your typical movie experience.
That being said, Ben Mendelsohn as the villain, Nolan Sorrento, gave an awesome performance, and the character itself is very compelling, and it could be the best depiction of a clumsy villain I see in years. Unfortunately, The beta villain, F'Nale Zandor, is a pale character, and Hannah John-Kamen made this character even worse with an over-the-top performance. I felt that she was trying so hard to be like Gazelle in Kingsman The Secret Service, but she is far from Sofia Boutella wonderful performance.
I think using the narration to set up the story fast wasn't a good decision, but looking at the full half of the glass, that made the fun begins early, so this kinda a half issue.
The movie looks great, and the visual effects are breathtaking. Most of the movie is animated, and the animation is very beautiful and looks like the animation that has been used in video games rather than in animated movies. And that fits perfectly with the theme of the movie. Ready Player One definitely should be nominated for the Oscar for best Visual Effects, for best Sound mixing, for best Sound Editing, and I hope it will be nominated for best Animated Movie!
Ready Player One is my second favorite movie of 2018, but it's hands down the most enjoyable movie I've seen this year, and one of the most enjoyable movies I've watched in my life.
I still can't believe how this Overlook Hotel sequence has been shot..... no...no... sorry, I forgot it's a SPIELBERG film!
(9/10)