An overload of references from almost every 80s and 90s pop culture game, movie and comic consumes this childish movie made for adults. But what really sets the tone for this film (spoiler coming), is the hidden agenda presented by Spielberg and co. Get off your ass, get your head out of the screens and live in reality. I question whether a pretty awesome concept should have been mixed with a (personal opinion) true but controversial statement about society. Ready Player One is non-stop entertainment, but is it strong enough to become a cult classic is the real question.

The film is set in 2045 where people call buildings made up of trailers, homr and live not so very attractive types of lives. It’s also a world where Wade (Tye Sheridan) has to crawl through stacks of old crushed cars and trucks to get to a van where he is in peace to play OASIS. OASIS is a virtual reality game where you are allowed to be whoever you are and look however you want. It’s where most spend their time in order to escape their actuality. When the creator Halliday (Mark Rylance) dies, he leaves a message to all his followers. He has left an Easter egg for someone to find inside his world, once they are able to complete a three-part journey where they will collect three keys when successfully winning each level. Whoever finds it, inherits the game and his fortune. Wade, who gathers a group of other gamers into his quest, sets on this adventure, finding clues and cracking codes as his gaming alter ego, Parzival.
The concept which comes from the 2011 Ernest Cline book of the same name, is an absolute dream.
What makes it even cooler is the introduction of any possible 80s and 90s figure you can think of with every shot. Only Spielberg would have the power to have so many rights signed over to appear in this film. We’re talking everything from King Kong to Halo and from Back to The Future to Iron Giant, and then some. The film is a geeks fantasy.
Kids will love this film. Keeping in mind that there are sexual references and a bit of swearing, it’s a playful, full of energy film with an abundance of references that show your age in each possibility. You’re either old, or you’re super too young to understand. But it is still a lot of fun for anyone of any age.

But what the film advances in adventure and action, it lacks impact. I mean, it was a great movie with a very interesting and unique idea, but it isn’t the greatest film and I don’t believe it will withstand the force of the other films released this year. I also do not believe it will go down as a Spielberg classic.
It’s villain, Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn), whose entire company, IOI, is based on winning OASIS, is sort of left behind and doesn’t develop strongly. He is a wimp, and is a great representation of what the game is about; the idea of making yourself invincible since you are not in real life, but he was a push over.
His side kick, F’Nala Zandor (Hannah John-Kamen), who he hands every demand to, is practically a useless edition to the film. Zandor was set the task to find Wade and his friends, and destroy any possibility of them winning the Easter egg. Her impact on the film was minimal. She was there, but not there all at the same time.

As for the hidden agenda, it doesn’t really surface until the very end and when it does, it’s a bit annoying, but makes a point. I guess it is a personal preference thing of whether you care what the impact of technology has on the world.

I had a lot of fun watching Ready Player One, and I guess you can call me old, because I did gasp and point at the screen every time a character came up that I recognised. It is definitely worth the cinema experience, as it is visually stunning. It’s a good film, but as for longevity, I don’t think it’s a top ten film. I’m sorry if I have confused you with my bipolar opinion, but I just don’t care to watch it a second time, if the sums it up. 3 out of 5 will do.