Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

Ready Player One (2018)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe

Author

Kind of fun. The story and themes feel a lot like Avatar (entering a world as another character) and The Matrix (things you do in one world affect the other world). But it feels like a lot of story points were glossed over, perhaps because the story in the novel is so much deeper. My biggest issue is that the people in this movie, who are mostly immersed in this virtual reality world, are perfectly capable interacting with each other in real life. I don’t think that’s the direction our society is heading in.

All the random 80’s stuff in one place is nice to see in a Who Framed Roger Rabbit? sort of way. But is it all really necessary? I know the source novel has it, but what does it add to the story? It feels like it’s all a bit forced.

Sheridan looks like a cross between Miles Teller and Tom Hardy. Olivia Cooke has a Christina Ricci vibe. Rylance is great, even in this role which I feel like is a bit of a stretch for him. Spielberg loves to use him, doesn’t he? Ben Mendelsohn is Tom Bergeron with Miguel Ferrer’s attitude.

Effects are great, but there’s too much adventure music. When each scene relies on it, it’s a sign that what’s really going on underneath the music isn’t all that interesting.

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