Ready Player One is a 2018 American science fiction adventure film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, based on Cline’s 2011 novel of the same name. The film stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance.
The film takes place in 2045, when much of humanity uses the virtual reality software OASIS to escape the desolation of the real world. Orphaned teenager Wade Watts (Sheridan) discovers clues to a hidden game within the program that promises the winner full ownership of the OASIS, and joins several allies to try to complete the game before a large company run by businessman Nolan Sorrento (Mendelsohn) can do so. Many of earth’s cities have become slums and citizens regularly escape into the virtual reality universe of OASIS. This attracts huge numbers of “Gunters” (egg hunters) as well as the video game conglomerate Innovative Online Industries (IOI), headed by Nolan Sorrento, who employs a large number of researchers, top gamers and indentured servants called “Sixers”.
Wade goes by Parzival, and his online friend Aech as well as players Daito and Sho are joined by Art3mis who become the first to uncover an underground shortcut to the finish line to acquire the first key. After Wade refuses to join Sorrento’s organization, the latter has his aunt’s home destroyed so Art3mis, who goes by Samantha in the real world, has him brought to her place. They discover that Halliday had regretted something during a movie date with his love interest Kira. The High Five enter a re-creation of The Shining where they traverse a series of frightening events to eventually reach Kira and acquire the second key. Wade is able to find the 3rd key by realizing that there is a hidden Easter egg.
Sorrento is arrested and his workers are freed, after a recording of him having killed Wade’s aunt is released. . The High Five share control of the OASIS, with Wade hiring Morrow, who is revealed to be the archive curator, as a consultant. The OASIS resumes operations, but is shut down on Tuesdays and Thursdays to force people to spend more time in the real world, including Wade and Samantha who have formed a relationship and bought an apartment together.
Though I feel that the special effects and CGI is awesome, the movie lacks interesting characters and it lacks heart. I do not feel for the characters and in truth I was a bit bored. I give this film a 7 outta 10!